Five is the new norm

The introduction of 5G technology will change the role of telecom sector, which means they will not only be technology distributors but also service providers, says Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar

The telecom sector is making a rapid growth towards intelligent communication systems, allowing millions of people to experience new ways of getting information. The telecom operators are focusing more on enhancing the engagement with users. Being at the forefront of the digital transformation, the telecom operators have started adopting automation technologies, multi-channel approaches and personalisation services to create a great customer experience.

Out of the biggest technology trends like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and cloud computing, 5G technology will change the role of the telecom sector, which means they will not only be technology distributors but also be the service providers in the coming time. Also, it is said to have long-term implications on the human lifestyle. Indian telecom operators like Airtel have started its 5G trial with Huawei, BSNL has tested its 5G use with Nokia and Ericsson, and Reliance Jio has started Narrowband-IoT with Samsung. The 5G adoption services in India are expected to be amongst consumers by the mid-2020s.

What is 5G?

It is the fifth generation of wireless networks, which is expected to bring higher capacity than the existing 4G network. It is the next-generation cellular technology that will offer improved data rates, ultra-low latency and enable faster and more reliable communication. It not only interconnects people but also interconnects machines, objects, and devices, providing faster speed and strong connection. This next-generation technology will deliver a new level of performance and efficiency that will help connect industries and make user experiences completely a good one.

Benefits: The game-changing technology has the huge potential to deliver multiple benefits through its unique connectivity features. They are:

• With 5G technology, data passed over wireless broadband connections could easily travel at the rates as high as 20Gbps.
• Users would be able to download heavy files and games with better graphics in less than 4 seconds.
• This new-age technology is designed to significantly reduce latency, which means 5G provides real-time interactivity using the cloud. Latency is a time gap or transmission time for a packet of data.
• 5G-enabled technologies provide high connection density, greater reliability and high energy savings in a way to make smarter cities and enable Digital India.

Seeing the key role of future generation technology like 5G in the telecom sector, it would not be wrong to say that in future youth will have to prepare themselves as per the trending technology-based skills like 5G to get employed in the telecom sector. The new-age technology skills will bring a sea of change in the telecom sector and the demand for such skills will be too high.

Need to train manpower as per 5G technology: Telecom sector enrolls more and more people, being amongst the largest employers in India to provide jobs to youth. But this time, while there are plenty of new jobs coming in this sector, the biggest challenge exists in getting the skilled manpower specifically in revolutionary technology like 5G. There is a need of creating a demand of talent pool transformation and make them ready for this future generation technology.

To cope with the rapid transformation in the industry, youth have to learn about new technologies that have become an important skill these days. Set up under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), TSSC is planning to design the job roles that will complement the standards of emerging tech-based skills like 5G and make them job-ready in the near future.

The writer is CEO, Telecom Sector Skill Council