DoT, MSME ministry should conduct demand study on 5G adoption: Trai chairman

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises should jointly conduct a demand study to assess the potential of adoption of fifth-generation or 5G technology among small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), said a top official of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

“Based on the learning process, there may be ways to estimate how the micro small and medium enterprise can overcome various constraints and move toward industry 4.0, and others,” PD Vaghela, Chairman, TRAI, said.

Private 5G networks are being touted as the biggest opportunity for telecom operators in the enterprise space, and have the potential to drive operational transformation, automation, and efficiencies for enterprises.

Though the government has allowed private entities to acquire spectrum directly, the final guidelines are yet to be announced. This, though, has become a bone of contention between telcos and enterprises who want to set up their own private 5G networks.

Notably, telecom operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel started rolling out their 5G services in October last year, and to date, have covered more than 230 and 100 cities, respectively. Both telcos are aiming to complete the roll out within 15 months.