Nokia to work closely with Indian telcos, plans to trial-run 5G networks in the country

Nokia Networks is in talks with Indian telecom operators to start trials of next generation 5G networks, even as the country is yet to see full-scale roll-out of 4G technology-based mobile voice and data services. The Finnish telecom equipment maker is already testing the fifth-generation networks with global telecom giants like US-based Verizon, Korean SK Telecom and Japan's NTT Docomo.

In India, Nokia Networks is part of Telecommunications Standards Development Society, which is working on 5G, and is in discussion with telecom operators to start 5G trials. However, Indian telcos are still investing in 4G technology to roll out the fourth generation networks and large parts of the country are yet to be covered under the high-speed data and voice services. Nokia Networks Head of Mobile Broadband Milivoj Vela said on the sidelines of an event today that 5G will focus on data services while voice calls will be facilitated through 4G technology.

"It will be used for purposes beyond voice and data communications carried by people today. It will has less than 1 millisecond latency that will be used by machines for quick action like for to stop in case it identifies any obstacle, surgery from remote location etc. Discussion about spectrum (at global level) in which 5G will operate will finish by 2019. Commercial 5G deployment will start in 2020. Then you will see 100 mbps guaranteed speed everywhere," Vela said.

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He added that 5G will operate in spectrum band above 6,000 Mhz and the technology will be launched in phases.

"One cell (mobile antenna) in 5G will be able to handle 1,000 times more data traffic in 2020 compared to data traffic in 2010. We have already achieved one million devices connected to single cell site and 30 gbps speed on 73 Ghz band in lab," Vela said.

At present, spectrum band between 700 Mhz and 2.6 Ghz are available for mobile services in India. WiFi services are generally used between 2.4 Ghz to 5.9 Ghz.

"Already 4G is taking voice calling to high definition voice calls and voice call cannot be better than this. 5G will about high quality data experience. It will enhance telepresence (web conferencing) to a level where one will not feel the difference if a person is in room or on telepresence," Vela said.