5G Spectrum to Boost India's GDP by $27 Billion: GSMA
The widespread availability of spectrum for 5G is poised to contribute approximately $27 billion to India's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, according to a recent report from the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). This organization, which represents mobile networks worldwide, emphasized the importance of including the upper 6 GHz band in India's spectrum roadmap.
Luciana Camargos, Head of Spectrum for the GSMA, highlighted the global recognition of India’s rapid 5G deployment. "For it to continue, and for the full realization of the Indian government’s digital ambitions, a clear roadmap to deliver spectrum for growing mobile demand is needed", she stated. Camargos also stressed that the incorporation of the upper 6 GHz band into commercial use would necessitate close collaboration between the government and the mobile industry.
India is currently one of the fastest-growing markets for 5G globally. Since its launch in October 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 5G users in India have been consuming nearly 3.6 times more mobile data traffic compared to 4G users. The evolving 5G device ecosystem in India is also noteworthy, with around 17 percent of active 4G devices, equating to 134 million out of 796 million, now being 5G capable, according to the Nokia Mobile Broadband Index report.
The advent of 5G has proven to be a significant catalyst for data usage growth in India. The GSMA report underscores the necessity for a well-defined spectrum roadmap to sustain this momentum and fully leverage the potential economic benefits. The collaboration between government bodies and the mobile industry will be crucial in bringing the upper 6 GHz band into commercial use, thus supporting the growing demand for mobile services and contributing substantially to the nation's GDP.
