The telecom industry in India stands on the brink of a profound transformation as it is witnessing the peak of technological convergence on various levels. In the past 2 decades, India has rapidly transitioned from 2G to a 4G LTE network and is now at the threshold of 5G technology. Since then, the Indian telecom market has grown competitive and innovative, driving the market with premium data services, and smartphone accessibility.

Before we dive deep into the future, let us take a look at the past. The unreal transition of the telecom industry from 1G to what is today.

1G: The voice-based 1G system transmitted voice calls using analog technology. 1G separated calls by assigning each call to a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system, which was built on top of the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS).

2G: Data transfer became possible when telecom made the switch from analog to digital. D-AMPS, a digital variant of AMPS, provided improved security and quality. While CDMA (Code Division numerous Access) spread-spectrum technology lets numerous users on the same frequency, TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) enables several calls on the same channel. With the introduction of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) for international roaming and SMS for text messaging, 2G expanded the telecom industry.

3G: With 3G came widespread internet access which enabled browsing and email services. Wideband CDMA became the face of high-speed 3Gdata and enhanced network capacity. Transitioning from the era of buffering, HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) gifted users with faster downloads and uploads. Multi-media services ranging from video calls to streaming came into being with 3G.

4G: 4G LTE came as a boon to all tech savvy offering significantly faster speeds for streaming, video calls, and gaming, similar to home broadband on mobile devices. OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) ensured efficient spectrum use, increasing data transfer speed and network capacity. An enhanced version of LTE, Gigabit was also incorporated in 4G. With HD, Enabled high-definition video streaming with minimal buffering. VoIP enables voice call transmissions over the internet, improving call quality and allowing global communication.

5G: With 5G, the idea of connectivity evolved to a whole new level. The unified connectivity that came with 5G offered seamless connectivity across various devices, integrating IoT, AR, and VR. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) provides improved speed and efficiency, similar to OFDMA in 4G. With new radio frequency came the advantage of faster delivery speeds and lower latency. Another major advancement that came with 5G is IoT (Internet of Things). It connects more devices to the network, supporting smart homes, cities, and industries.

Presently, when on the one hand, most of the new launches and upcoming smart devices in the country are 5G compliant, on the other, leading telecom brands are all gearing up to launch 5G services. The advent of 5G will redefine the idea of connectivity with ultra-speed data networks, and low latency. With this unprecedented shift, a new era will unfold. And in the ripple effect comes the Internet of Things and smart technologies.

Decoding the buzzword Internet of Things!

In the year 1999, Kevin Ashton, a Computer Scientist coined the term Internet of Things at a presentation for Proctor & Gamble, where he proposed putting Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) on products to track them through the supply chain. But, the idea behind the now-celebrated term dates back to 1972 when Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory developed a computer-controlled vending machine.

Since 1999, the Internet of Things has evolved. And it holds limitless possibilities!

The Internet of Things now refers to a network of interconnected high-end devices, ranging from personal gadgets to household appliances to industrial machines, that communicate and exchange data through the Internet. These top-notch devices are equipped with sensors, software, and technologies that enable them to function autonomously, compile data, and interact with their environment without human intervention.

The application of IoT in India spans a myriad range of industry sectors including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, smart cities, and telecom.

The future of IoT is consistent, brimming with opportunities as it is still in its nascent stages.

"And just like any company that blissfully ignored the Internet at the turn of the century, the ones that dismiss the Internet of Things risk getting left behind.” — Jared Newman. 

Impact of telecom advancements on IoT

IoT is rooted in seamless connectivity and the advancements in the Indian Telecom industry are signaling the same. With India accelerating its journey to the realm of 5G, IoT is awaiting the perfect boost for its essential growth and scalability. Here's how the thriving Telecom industry has transformed the landscape for IoT:

High Connectivity: Seamless connectivity is key for robust IoT As the 5G network powers connectivity in India, the nation's capability to connect a vast number of IoT devices, enabling unhindered machine-to-machine interaction will skyrocket. With enhanced connectivity, millions of smart devices ranging from industrial machines to household gadgets can stay connected without any data congestion.

Low Latency: We are moving towards a world that doesn't wait, and with 5G data transfers will not have to wait either. One of the significant features of a 5G network is low latency, which ensures instantaneous data transfer. This is groundbreaking when it comes to IoT applications like self-driving cars, healthcare equipment, and more that rely on precise timing.

Enhanced Data Capacity: The operation of IoT revolves around data! When the data generation is surplus, the necessity of immaculate network infrastructure becomes crucial. Here, 5G's efficient data capacity, comes to the rescue as it can flawlessly process the massive data accumulated through IoT devices. From CCTV surveillance footage to industrial grid management systems, any high-volume data will be a cakewalk for 5G.

Empowered Industrial IoT: With the telecom industry chasing new heights, the industrial IoT will also attain its newfound glory. Indian industries will begin to explore great possibilities in IoT as they embrace automation and real-time monitoring.

Rethinking the digital capabilities of the telecom industry, India is constantly moving towards a future of efficiency. Gearing up to embrace the upcoming 5G technology, industries, business sectors, and households will witness the endless possibilities of IoT and how that will add convenience to their lives.

At Pace Digitek, we constantly strive to level up with the industry's progress. With our expertise in power management systems and energy storage, we are gearing up to unearth the great possibilities that come with the 5G network. With better connectivity, we aim to expand our ICT initiatives powered by IoT for digital upheaval.