5G, affordable data bridging India’s digital divide

Telecommunications are the nerve for India to graduate towards an inclusive growth model where no one is left behind. Over the last 30 years, efforts have been made towards expanding optical fibres and releasing more spectrum to private telecom operators to accelerate the process of bringing citizens under the fold of digital services.

The traditional model based on voice revenue and expensive mobile data, with severe access limitations, was disrupted by the entry of Jio. Since Jio’s entry into the space in September 2016, the transformation has been towards more inclusiveness by adopting the principle of not just having access but making it affordable for all.