– Indian telecom industry still awaiting breakthrough to monetise 5G networks two years after commercial launch
– Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) key application for connecting homes, enterprises, and SMBs due to low fiber broadband penetration
– Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel already offering 5G FWA services to customers
– Challenges in monetising 5G networks in India and globally, unlike successful 4G era
– Potential for FWA to reach 100 million underserved households with $6 billion revenue opportunity
– Jio targeting 100 million households with 5G-driven fixed broadband, Airtel expanding 5G FWA AirFiber offering
– Innovative 5G use cases include connected ambulances, remote education, and healthcare applications
– Financial burden on Indian telcos from high cost of 5G spectrum affecting deployment
– Low adoption readiness among consumers for 5G services, limited potential revenue
– Private 5G adoption hampered by ambiguity around spectrum allotment in India
– 5G-Advanced technology to bring new wireless innovations and potential for revenue growth
– Vi and BSNL advised to leapfrog to 5.5G-ready equipment to maintain competitiveness
– Fixed broadband seen as clear winner for revenue generation in telecom industry