Will be able to start field trials for 5G as soon as spectrum is made available: Mukesh Ambani – Moneycontrol

Reliance Jio, he stated, owns intellectual property (IP) around 5G and is now creating 5G services connected to the cloud

While declaring Reliance Industries Q1 FY21 on July 30, Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced plans to ‘set a 5G footprint’. However, he was quick to add that RIL will be able to start field trials for 5G only after the spectrum is made available by the government.

This will be the first time an Indian entity is planning to develop a 5G network and Ambani said, “India can be on par if not set the pace for some of these innovations as the world gets ready to embrace 5G as the next frontier.”

Reliance Jio, he stated, owns intellectual property (IP) around 5G and is now creating 5G services connected to the cloud.

Ambani said the company has the capability to design an entry-level 5G smartphone. “We believe that we can design such a phone at a fraction of current cost. To power such a value-engineered smartphone, we need an equally value-engineered smartphone operating system. And, such an operating system must be designed from grounds-up.”

The RIL Chairman had recently announced that Jio was developing its own 5G technology, which will support faster mobile connectivity. He had stated that it would be ready for field deployment next year.

“Once Jio’s 5G solution is proven at India-scale, Jio Platforms would be well-positioned to be an exporter of 5G solutions to other telecom operators globally, as a complete managed service.”

Jio is the latest entrant in 5G technology and faces stiff competition from the likes of Ericsson and Qualcomm, who already have a head start.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.