India's 5G Promise Falters: Telcos Seek New Revenue Streams

Four years after its 2022 introduction, 5G technology in India has yet to achieve widespread consumer demand. Telecom operators, after a substantial investment of ₹1.61 lakh crores in spectrum, are now focusing on monetizing the technology through services like fixed wireless access (FWA) and 5G network slicing.

Initial efforts by the Department of Telecommunications to explore 5G use-cases across 14 ministries, targeting sectors such as logistics, education, and mining, proved largely unsuccessful. These discussions, which began prior to the 2022 rollout, primarily led to the establishment of testing labs rather than broad implementation.

Industry experts cite limited spectrum and a narrow scope for monetizing the identified use-cases as key reasons for the slow adoption. Companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are considering network slicing for enterprise offerings, gaming, and differentiated subscriber plans, mirroring strategies in countries like the US and China.

However, concerns exist regarding spectrum adequacy for effective slicing services in India. Experts caution that the current spectrum bands may be insufficient, potentially leading to congestion if consumer-focused slicing is implemented. This mirrors a global trend where 5G's primary benefit has been enhanced speed and efficiency, rather than transformative new applications.