Reliance Jio set to bring True 5G connectivity across India as it turns six

India’s leading telecom operator, Reliance Jio, turned six on Monday, September 5, 2022. The telco began its operations in the country on September 5, 2016, with True 4G network coverage across 22 telecom circles. Now, the company is preparing to launch the True 5G network in India by the end of this year. According to Jio, the transition to 5G will boost the country’s global economic standing in a big way.

Reliance Jio is deploying 5G standalone networks with no fallback on 4G infrastructure. It is similar to the existing True 4G network with no fallback on 2G or 3G infrastructure. In contrast, other telecom operators in India, including Airtel, will deploy 5G non-standalone networks with fallback to 4G networks when required. The 5G standalone network consumes less energy and is said to deliver the full benefits of high-speed, low latency, and high-capacity connectivity to its users.

Reliance Jio has committed Rs. 2 lakh crore to launch pan India 5G in phases over 18 months. “This underlines Jio’s absolute and firm commitment that India deserves only the best, with a ‘no shortcuts’ approach. Jio 5G will be the world’s not just the largest network, but it will be the most advanced 5G network globally,” the company said in a statement. Jio claims that the 5G rollout across India within 18 months deadline will be the fastest 5G rollout in the world. The telco’s 5G infrastructure will also connect those regions of the country where only satellite technology was the option.

According to a report published by Ericsson Mobility in June 2022, mobile traffic in India has increased by 15 times in the last five years and is expected to double in the coming three years. By the end of 2027, 5G technology will represent almost 40 percent of mobile subscriptions in India, and users are forecasted to consume around 50GB of data per month on average.