Why Is 5G Deployment Slowing Down Despite Speeding Up?
The deployment of 5G technology has captured worldwide attention due to its potential to revolutionize various industries. However, despite promising advancements, the rollout of 5G remains slower than initially anticipated. This article delves into the reasons behind the delays and explores the rapid progress being made in the sector.
Delayed Uptake of 5G Due to 4G Market Potential
One of the primary reasons for the slower rollout of 5G is the incomplete potential of the previous generation of mobile networks, 4G. Much like how 4G continues to drive significant revenue, the telecommunications industry is reluctant to push for 5G unless it fully capitalizes on 4G's market potential. The market has yet to achieve its projected return on investment (ROI), making it prudent to hold off on the massive infrastructure investments needed for 5G.
Milestone-Driven Infrastructure Development
The deployment of 5G requires substantial investments in infrastructure, including a significant number of new sites and a major upgrade to the network. This investment is crucial for achieving the high throughput speeds and low latency that 5G promises. However, the scale of this investment is quite staggering. To effectively cover the same geographical area as 4G with ultra-wideband, 5G needs 5-10 times as many towers.
As a result, the rollout strategy involves phased deployment: low-band, mid-band, and mmWave (millimeter-wave) technology. While low-band is the first to be rolled out, followed by mid-band, mmWave will take longer due to its high frequency and short range. This phased approach allows operators to optimize resource allocation and ensure a steady improvement in network coverage and performance.
Impact of the Pandemic
The global pandemic significantly impacted the rollout of 5G. Just as companies were ramping up their plans for deployment, the pandemic disrupted supply chains and affected global logistics. This disruption led to delays in obtaining critical equipment and materials, further slowing down the process.
Cost Concerns and Spectrum Prices
Another hurdle is the high cost associated with 5G spectrum allocation. Telecom operators are hesitant to allocate their funds to spectrum that is claimed to be priced at Rs 492 crore per megahertz by the Digital Communications Commission (DCC). This high cost is a major financial barrier to 5G deployment. Despite this, the primary financial driver remains the need for additional capacity and spectrum savings.
Legal and Security Concerns
Security concerns and legal battles also pose challenges to 5G deployment. Some individuals and groups have raised concerns about the potential misuse of 5G technology, such as remote controlling devices or causing health issues. These concerns have led to legal actions and local resistance to infrastructure installation, slowing down the overall process.
Addressing the OSS/BSS Challenges
Finally, there are also infrastructure-related challenges, particularly with the existing operations support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) that need to be upgraded to handle 5G. One key aspect is the capability to manage 5G Network Slicing, which allows for the creation of multiple virtual networks on a single physical infrastructure. This requires a sophisticated network architecture that is robust and flexible, further adding to the complexity of 5G deployment.
Conclusion
While the deployment of 5G is complex and fraught with challenges, it is crucial not to underestimate the progress being made. Despite the reasons outlined, the deployment of 5G infrastructure is progressing faster than other technologies, albeit in a phased and methodical manner. As the world continues to adapt to the evolving technology, the challenges will be addressed, leading to the eventual realization of 5G's full potential.
References
5G Today - Nokia