India’s private 5G sector is still in its early stages. Telecom operators believe they are best positioned to provide enterprises with access to private 5G networks. However, many businesses argue that they should have the option to set up their own private 5G networks if they are granted access to the spectrum. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) may soon allocate spectrum administratively to enterprises for private 5G, a move that has not been well received by telecom companies.
Jio and Airtel have already established widespread 5G networks across India. Reliance Jio, in particular, has deployed a nationwide standalone 5G (SA) network, which enables it to create network slices tailored for different requirements, including private 5G solutions for enterprises.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents telecom companies like Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and Bharti Airtel, has stated that private 5G networks should be deployed only in areas with limited or no network connectivity. COAI believes that such a scenario is not a major concern in India, as telecom operators are capable of serving businesses with their existing infrastructure.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently recommended that enterprises should be allowed to obtain spectrum administratively under an authorization regime, enabling them to set up their own 5G networks. However, COAI maintains that telecom service providers are better equipped to support businesses in deploying 5G solutions.
At present, India’s private 5G network market remains relatively small, with only a handful of companies having implemented their own networks. Even those that initially attempted to build private 5G networks independently eventually turned to telecom operators for assistance, according to COAI. As the debate over private 5G continues, it remains to be seen whether telcos or enterprises will gain the upper hand in this evolving market.
