ETTelecom Interviews: Significant investment required to roll out 5G in India, says GSMA APAC head Julian Gorman
NEW DELHI: A significant investment will be required to roll out fifth-generation or 5G mobile networks in India, according to Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA.
In an interview with ETTelecom at its third edition of Digital Telco Summit, Gorman discusses 5G monetization challenges in India, subscribers forecast, and fixed wireless access (FWA) potential.
In an interview with ETTelecom at its third edition of Digital Telco Summit, Gorman discusses 5G monetization challenges in India, subscribers forecast, and fixed wireless access (FWA) potential.
Edited excerpts:
How do you see the initial progress of 5G rollouts in India?
I think the rollout of 5G in India is actually very exciting. The competition between the standalone network and non-standalone network in such a big market. Rapidly exposing so many people to 5G is really going to kickstart the ecosystem and really put India at the forefront of global 5G development, really put India on the map.
What is GSMA’s latest forecast of India’s 5G subscriber base by 2025?
We release our annual forecast next February, I'm expecting to see an adjustment in those numbers. Because our last forecast was done last February, well before, even India has announced its 5G auctions. Auctions have been completed. I think, a very positive step in those numbers.
How do you see the initial progress of 5G rollouts in India?
I think the rollout of 5G in India is actually very exciting. The competition between the standalone network and non-standalone network in such a big market. Rapidly exposing so many people to 5G is really going to kickstart the ecosystem and really put India at the forefront of global 5G development, really put India on the map.
What is GSMA’s latest forecast of India’s 5G subscriber base by 2025?
We release our annual forecast next February, I'm expecting to see an adjustment in those numbers. Because our last forecast was done last February, well before, even India has announced its 5G auctions. Auctions have been completed. I think, a very positive step in those numbers.
Who are going to be the major users of 5G fixed wireless access in India?
Even countries like the US where most people have high fiber penetration or cable penetration, have significant fixed wireless access business. I think for India, it's going to be actually a market which very many people are interested in watching. Because fiber penetration is not as high as compared to a lot of the advanced markets. And so how significant fixed wireless access becomes a replacement for fiber, or a temporary fix for fiber? We'll wait and see.
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What are the top challenges that Indian telcos could face in 5G monetisation?
Obviously, the rollout of networks. Enough coverage and penetration are going to be one of the biggest challenges. A significant investment is required to roll out in such a big country. It's such a big market. I think it's about managing the rollout speed versus the adoption, and the usage, which is about managing the business case. They're probably going to be some of the biggest challenges.
What are the top challenges that Indian telcos could face in 5G monetisation?
Obviously, the rollout of networks. Enough coverage and penetration are going to be one of the biggest challenges. A significant investment is required to roll out in such a big country. It's such a big market. I think it's about managing the rollout speed versus the adoption, and the usage, which is about managing the business case. They're probably going to be some of the biggest challenges.
The Centre is considering introducing light-touch regulation of OTT communication players. Your views?
Globally, there are a lot of debates around OTT and a fair share of networks. I think that debates are still ongoing. And a bit early for me to say.
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