Jio Platforms’ 5G solution includes 5G radio, a complete 5G core network as well as the cloud-native operation support system (OSS) platforms
Indian carrier Reliance Jio is in negotiations with global operators to supply its locally developed end-to-end 5G platform, local newspaper The Economic Times reported.
According to the report, the company is currently holding technical talks with some international carriers for the supply of the Jio-developed 5G hardware and software solution.
A company executive told the newspaper that the Jio campus and other Reliance Industries Limited offices are already using the 5G stack. Reliance Jio also is expected to use the homegrown platform, along with solutions from other vendors, to support its own launch of commercial 5G services across India.
“The commercial rollout of 5G services across the country will be done through a combination of network equipment from global firms like Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung as well as its local solution,” the executive was quoted as saying.
Jio Platforms’ end-to-end 5G solution includes a 5G radio, a complete 5G core network, cloud infrastructure deployment as well as the cloud-native operation support system (OSS) platform.
The carrier plans to launch 5G services in the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata by the end of October. The company has previously said it expect to cover the entire country with 5G by the end of next year.
According to published reports, Jio is the only carrier in India which plans to roll out its 5G network via a 5G Standalone architecture. Jio has secured spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 3.3 GHz and 26 GHz bands.
India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi officially announced the start of the 5G era in the country on October 1. The first telco to launch 5G in India was Bharti Airtel, which has activated its 5G services in eight cities with plans to progressively cover the entire country by March 2024.
Some of the cities where Airtel already offers 5G include Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi and Bangalore.
Bharti Airtel will use equipment from Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung for the provision of 5G services. The Indian operator had secured a total of 19,800 megahertz of spectrum in the 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 3.3 GHz and 26 GHz bands in a recent auction carried out by the Indian government.
The 5G spectrum auction in India concluded on August 1 and according to the country’s Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, local carriers purchased a total $19 billion worth of spectrum.
Reliance Jio walked away with the most spectrum, having spent $11 billion. Airtel won spectrum worth $5.4 billion, while Vodafone Idea received spectrum worth $2.4 billion. Finally, Adani purchased spectrum worth approximately $27 million, which it will use to offer private 5G network services.
