The development of homegrown 5G solutions to be used for the nationwide deployment of Reliance Jio’s 5G networks has received a lot of attention. However, Ericsson and Nokia said on Monday that they had signed multi-year contracts with Jio for the rollout of 5G. This indicates that Jio’s claim that domestic 5G technology would soon be available is untrue. Even if Jio were required to replace Nokia and Ericsson’s equipment in the future, doing so would be extremely expensive and something the telco may not be ready to undertake.
On its own 5G stack, Jio had tested numerous use cases. However, it’s possible that Jio’s 5G solutions weren’t yet ready for deployment. Jio wouldn’t want to lag behind Airtel’s 5G rollout since it was also happening. Because both Nokia and Ericsson are seasoned businesses and because Jio had few other options, the telco chose them as its partners.
Homegrown 5G from Reliance Jio might only be available in certain areas.
At a later stage of rollout, it’s possible that Jio may employ its 5G solutions in some regions or circles of the nation. It’s difficult to build an in-house 5G stack and solutions around it. Nevertheless, Jio made the proper choice with this choice. Jio would be able to quickly deploy 5G SA (standalone) and maintain an advantage over its rivals by collaborating with overseas providers. The operator can continue to develop its own 5G technology and deploy it wherever it is practical.
Jio might no longer be able to build a 5G network that is entirely indigenous. The equipment would cost the carrier billions of dollars to buy from Nokia and Ericsson. As a result, if Jio replaces this equipment anytime soon, a lot of money would have been wasted.
Jio might gradually phase out Nokia and Ericsson products from its networks over the course of the next decade or two and implement its own solutions. However, doing so would not be practical for Jio in the foreseeable future, and that is a large “if.”
However, there is still another factor to take into account. When Jio completes this homegrown 5G solution, it may be able to export it at a lesser price to other nations who require 5G SA equipment. That may indicate significant potential for the future of the company and the Indian economy.
As a result, while it was somewhat a marketing ploy, Jio made the right decision. Jio made a wise decision in trying to put India on the map of the world with domestic 5G solutions, which is in and of itself an accomplishment.