KPMG report terms capacity, collaboration, co-innovation and consensus as the four spokes of 5G ecosystem in India – Times of India

5G is the hottest topic and technology in the Indian telecom circles. While 5G-enabled devices are here, the networks still npt there per se. However, with the acceleration of digital transformation initiatives across the country, India seems set to adopt 5G. With immediate promise of applications of fixed wireless access, 5G to bring a significant transformation in the society by taking gigabit speed connectivity to small towns and villages. The industry is betting on enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) applications to gain momentum in the initial phase of 5G launch with the real RoI to start generating once massive machine type communication (mMTC) and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) use cases become mainstream.
KPMG India has launched a report titled “Connectivity Of The Future: 5G The Gamechanger” at India Mobile Congress 2021. The report highlights point of view on 5G adoption in the country and what it will mean to different stakeholders. It outlines major challenges and expectations from the ecosystem. It relates to each segment such as telecom service providers (TSPs), regulators, device manufacturers, infrastructure providers, system integrators and technology players and OEMs. The report talks about opportunities emanating from 5G; segment-wise focus areas; critical support needed in enabling the ecosystem. The latter includes contiguous spectrum availability without interference, affordable pricing, harmonization of standards and an enhanced focus on building a robust digital infrastructure are some of the critical support areas that the industry is hoping from the government for successful nationwide implementation of 5G.
Satya Easwaran, Partner, Head of TMT and Business Consulting, KPMG in India, said, “The journey from a TSP to a ‘tech co’ needs multiple levers of transformation across business and technology domains. And while previous wireless technology generations were connectivity-centric, it is only with 5G that the telco can participate in the wider enterprise digital transformation for various industry use cases. However, innovation acceleration and partnerships will be key as they move to a ‘tech co’ business model. The need for a holistic and consensus driven ecosystem was never more prominent in India.”
Commenting on the report, K G Purushothaman, Partner, Advisory and Head of Telecom, KPMG in India said, “As TSPs are focusing on building virtual network and hybrid connectivity solutions, a gradual transition to a fully automated, cloud-centric and vendor agnostic platform will give strong impetus to their enterprise providing solutions across verticals to propel their digital transformation journeys with 5G solutions. Immense potential lies in this endeavor across digital twins, AR/VR, guided vehicles, immersive retail, smart cities and transportation, e-governance, and robotic factory use cases. Collaboration across the ecosystem of start-ups, R&D innovation centres, TSPs, corporate innovation centers, and the government will further add momentum to innovation with India specific 5G use-cases.”