In the evolution of connectivity, certain moments mark not just progress but transformation. The arrival of 5G is one such moment. Unlike its predecessors, which were defined largely by faster data and better coverage, 5G represents a deeper inflexion point—one that redefines the very fabric of digital infrastructure and its role in nation-building.
India stands at a critical juncture where digital inclusion is no longer an ambition but an imperative. In this context, 5G is not merely an upgrade in network capability. It is a catalyst for equitable access, smarter systems and more responsive public services. It touches the core of how economies scale, how industries innovate and how individuals participate in a rapidly shifting digital world.
The initial transition from 2G to 3G brought a lot of noise in itself with the penetration of smartphones, and helped in bringing the world closer. The same has happened with the 5G revolution, which has brought even faster connectivity, lower latency and new possibilities across the sectors, including education, healthcare and many others.
What makes this transition particularly important is its timing. As global industries shift toward intelligent automation and data-driven decision-making, India’s ability to leapfrog with 5G will define not just its competitiveness but also its capacity to lead in digital equity and resilience.
India’s investment and the economic payoff
According to an Analysys Mason study commissioned by Ericsson, India will spend up to $75 billion on 5G rollout by 2035. This is the highest among 15 emerging nations studied. Most of this cost will be absorbed by 2028–2029 as 5G is integrated into the existing network grid.
Ravi Kunwar, HMD Global
This investment is not being made blindly. Even with a relatively modest cost of $900 million to extend low-band 5G coverage, India is expected to see economic benefits of $15.6 billion between 2020 and 2035.
Most of the economic benefits from 5G in India between 2020 and 2035 will come from smart rural solutions, which will contribute $9.4 billion out of a total of $15.6 billion. Smart industry will add $5.4 billion, followed by smart logistics at $0.9 billion and smart public services at $0.1 billion.
What makes 5G different
The real value of 5G is not just speed but what it brings to the table. It can reach speeds up to 10 Gbps, which is about a hundred times faster than 4G. Its response time is as low as 1 millisecond, allowing apps and systems to work in real time without delay. IoT use cases and smart cities are examples of use cases where it is not only about high speeds but also transmission of small packets with zero loss.
It can also connect thousands of devices in one area. This helps systems communicate instantly, whether it is a hospital managing patient records or a logistics hub tracking shipments. It makes cities smarter, industries more efficient, and rural areas more connected.
The 5G technology has made the digitalisation of education, healthcare and other facilities much easier and convenient even in remote cities and small villages, as the network penetration has become much easier with 5G.
A moment of opportunity, not just speed
The real story of 5G isn’t speed. It is its impact. With mid-band coverage alone, an investment of $6.4 billion in India is expected to return $44.8 billion in economic value. That kind of multiplier effect doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when technology meets intent, when adoption is purposeful and deployment is thoughtful.
5G has been described as a leap forward, but in truth, it is a new foundation. It offers speeds up to 10 Gbps, latency as low as 1 millisecond, and the ability to connect thousands of devices in a single square kilometre. These are technical markers, yes. But what they unlock is something far more practical, which is precision, immediacy and scale.
It means a patient in a remote village can receive timely medical support. It means a manufacturer can detect a fault before it halts a production line. It means logistics, farming, education and governance can all become more efficient and ultimately more human-centric.
Jio and Airtel have brought 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) to villages in states like Maharashtra, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, giving people fibre-like speeds without physical fibre lines. Real-time surgeries and virtual classrooms are some examples of how this is benefiting consumers/enterprises across the entire spectrum. With the rise of OTT, content creators are now able to stream their content to the remotest of areas, in 2K, 4K, 8K resolution. It has also helped the media industry.
Building the future, not just the network
5G is no longer a promise for the future; it is a present-day force reshaping how we live, work and grow.
As the world eyes a $13.2 trillion boost in sales enablement by 2035, India has a real opportunity to lead this digital shift with intent. The question now is not about rollout speed but about impact.
This is our moment to ensure that connectivity powers inclusion, strengthens systems and supports real progress across every corner of the country.
The author is the CEO and Vice President – India and APAC, ANZ at HMD Global, the Finnish mobile phone manufacturer that owns Nokia.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
