The connected lifestyle enjoyed by consumers today is primarily due to the robust broadband connectivity and the ease it brings. High-speed and reliable broadband is foundational to smart living as it facilitates the integration of diverse internet of things (IoT) devices, supports real-time data analysis and drives the delivery of innovative digital services. The continued adoption of technologies such as 5G, fixed wireless access (FWA), satellite communications (satcom), Wi-Fi, fibre optic networks and IoT is significantly shaping the future of broadband connectivity in the country.
Mapping 5G’s expansion
India has been at the forefront of the 5G revolution, with rapid roll-outs throughout 2023. The 5G networks of Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel now cover most of the country, serving around 130 million users. It is further projected that by the end of 2028, India’s 5G user base will reach around 700 million. The development of enterprise use cases is also progressing swiftly, with 5G expected to reshape the country’s digital landscape across various sectors.
Within two years of the launch of 5G services, over 453,794 base transceiver stations have been deployed across the nation. In addition, according to Counterpoint Research, global 5G handset shipments grew by 20 per cent year on year in the first half of 2024, with India surpassing the USA to become the world’s second-largest 5G handset market, behind China.
In a recent development, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has started testing 5G technology and plans to install over 100,000 4G towers by March 2025, with 80,000 of these expected to be operational by October 2024, while the remaining installations will be completed by the end of the financial year 2024-25.
To foster 5G innovation, the government has launched the Bharat 5G Portal. This integrated platform serves as a hub for start-ups, industry players and academia involved in 5G, quantum communications, 6G and intellectual property rights. The portal aims to boost India’s 5G capabilities by promoting innovation, collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the telecom sector. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is also working on initiatives such as “5G Intelligent Villages” to further enhance 5G penetration across India.
Regulatory reforms have played a key role in shaping the country’s 5G ecosystem. The government has eased terms for spectrum sharing, trading and leasing and has introduced procedural reforms in wireless licensing. However, the recent spectrum auction in June 2024, which offered 10,523.15 MHz of airwaves at a reserve price of Rs 963 billion, saw a tepid response. The interest from the three telcos was largely focused on the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, with the 900 MHz band seeing the highest activity.
The adoption of private 5G networks has been rather slow. DoT is reportedly exploring ways to allocate spectrum directly to enterprises for the deployment of private 5G networks, which may accelerate its adoption. An internal study group has been established to propose potential methods for spectrum allocation. Meanwhile, FWA is rapidly emerging as another key 5G use case among communication service providers globally. With data performance on par with cable and fibre offerings, 5G FWA presents a compelling alternative for fixed broadband solutions.
Preparing for the 6G revolution
As 5G continues to expand, the government is simultaneously prioritising early efforts to embrace and lead in the adoption of 6G technology. With faster speeds, lower latency and more bandwidth compared to its predecessors, 6G is poised to revolutionise broadband. This leap in speed will transform various aspects of digital communication, enabling near-instantaneous downloads, seamless streaming of ultra-high-definition content and significant advancements in technologies such as augmented and virtual reality and IoT.
In July 2023, DoT announced the formation of the Bharat 6G Alliance, a collaborative platform that brings together public and private entities, academia, research institutions and standards development organisations. The alliance’s primary objective is to understand the business and societal needs of 6G beyond mere technological requirements, build consensus on these needs and promote impactful open research and development (R&D) initiatives. It aims to unite Indian start-ups, companies and the broader manufacturing ecosystem to form collabrations that will drive the design, development and deployment of 6G technologies in India. Under the Bharat 6G Vision, DoT is currently evaluating 470 proposals focused on “Accelerated Research on 6G.”
DoT has also established the 6G Technology Innovation Group to formulate an R&D action plan and identify emerging technologies in India that could play a role in 6G development. This consortium includes six task forces dedicated to studying and analysing various facets of 6G technology.
Waves of Wi-Fi evolution
In India, the growth of internet penetration is closely linked to the widespread availability of broadband services, and a key driver for this expansion has been the deployment of public Wi-Fi hotspots. Enhancing Wi-Fi connectivity has been a priority for the Indian government, with several initiatives such as the BharatNet project and the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme aimed at improving access. As of May 2024, India hosts around 199,896 PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots, and state governments have also been actively scaling up Wi-Fi connectivity.
Moreover, with the rise of smart offices, IoT devices and remote work, the role of Wi-Fi has become more critical than ever. Wi-Fi technology has evolved significantly since its inception to keep pace with the demands of an always-connected lifestyle. Although still emerging, Wi-Fi 6E holds substantial promise for enhancing network performance. Its wider channels and higher speeds facilitate faster and more efficient data transfers, benefiting applications such as video streaming, gaming and IoT devices. By utilising the 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6E offers increased capacity, faster speeds and reduced latency, making it crucial for businesses to develop future-proof networks that support rapid growth and expansion.
Looking ahead, Wi-Fi 7 further promises to usher in a new era of wireless networking with speeds reaching up to 30 Gbps, expanded frequency bands and reduced latency. The adoption of Wi-Fi 7 in India is expected to grow steadily, driven by early adopters including tech enthusiasts and key sectors such as telecommunications and healthcare. As global regulatory bodies approve the use of the 6 GHz band, the pathway for Wi-Fi 7’s widespread implementation will become clearer, setting the stage for significant advancements in wireless connectivity.
Advancements in satellite connectivity
Amid the growing momentum for 5G services in India, the importance of satcom services remains vital. Satcom is poised to play a critical role in India’s aspirations to become a digitally empowered nation. With a substantial demand for space-based solutions, India is well-positioned to leverage satcom to meet the increasing needs for work-from-home setups, over-the-top media services, mobile banking, online education and other digital applications.
The government has taken significant steps within its policy framework to boost the space sector. In February 2024, the union cabinet approved major amendments to the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy for the space sector, allowing 100 per cent FDI with specific sub-limits for various subsectors. With respect to satellite spectrum allocation, the Indian Telecommunications Act, 2023, permits spectrum for certain satellite-based services to be allocated through an administrative process, eliminating the need for spectrum auctions. Additionally, the Indian Space Policy, 2023, outlines several space activities that require the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre’s (IN-SPACe) authorisation, with IN-SPACe releasing the corresponding norms, guidelines and procedures in May 2024.
Recently, in August 2024, IN-SPACe issued an Announcement of Opportunity, inviting non-government entities to design, build, launch and utilise telecommunications satellites. Further, the government has issued an advisory for satellite television broadcasters, mandating the authorisation from IN-SPACe for using non-Indian satellites, effective April 1, 2025.
Satcom can effectively complement 5G by addressing coverage challenges and complex use cases that terrestrial infrastructure alone cannot meet. It also enables the deployment of virtual networks and offers more customised connectivity to meet specific user requirements.
In sum
Faster internet speeds will continue to be a key requirement for the future of broadband, supporting both current and emerging applications. Technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are enhancing gigabit speeds, while fibre-optic connections are becoming more widely available. Additionally, integrating smarter edge computing into cloud-based broadband networks is set to become a top priority for operators, enhancing speed, efficiency and responsiveness.