MUMBAI: A Deloitte-CII report said that the growth of 5G connectivity in India lacks uniform policy framework and will stand as a challenge towards cellular mobile communications.
“The current regulatory framework for deploying network infrastructure has always been one of the most contentious issues in the industry,” the report said. It also mentioned how the industry is also “crippling under margin pressure”.
The report expressed “Right of Way” (RoW) and lack of a uniform policy framework as a huge barricade and obstacle to come over to for a positive 5G growth in India.
Even though, in the year 2016, new RoW rules and methodised processes were introduced, the published report says, “Roadblocks have hampered implementation of the new rules”.
The report also said how the government has released the National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP) after analysing and looking at the benefits of 5G connectivity. The Union Cabinet had approved the NDCP 2018 on 26 September with the goal to provide “broadband to all”.
Replacing the National Telecom Policy 2012, NDCP targets to initiate a “comprehensive data protection regime for digital communications that safeguards the privacy, autonomy and choice of individuals and ensure India's "digital sovereignty”.
Related to investments on 5G connectivity, the Deloitte-CII report said, “While the investment for 5G would grow incrementally as advancements on existing 4G/LTE technology, with 5G spectrum and network densification needs, it is anticipated that industry might require an additional investment of $60-$70 billion to seamlessly implement 5G networks.”