Merger of 5Gi technology requirements with 3GPP 5G Standards
Enhanced coverage to benefit rural and remote settings, globally
January 28, 2022
In a significant development, stakeholders across the globe, that came together last week at the RAN plenary meeting of global standards development body 3GPP, have agreed to a plan of action that will allow the merger of 5Gi into 5G.
5Gi, an extension of 3GPP 5G standards to meet the rural (extended) coverage requirements of India, is under deliberations with the industry ecosystem in India under the consultative process of Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) and TSDSI, India’s Telecom Standards Development Organization. With the broad support from many TSDSI member companies, as well as global cellular vendors and multiple operators, the key requirements and the next steps that will culminate in the merger of 5Gi into 5G, was endorsed as part of the 3GPP 5G standards in the deliberations of 5G Release 17.
“The move is a big step in enabling India’s objective of enhanced coverage across rural, remote, and urban areas;” said N.G. Subramaniam, Chairman, TSDSI. “The merger of the 5Gi requirements into 3GPP 5G standards, enables a single common specification going forward, as well as creating a single radio access solution for 5G deployments in India and globally. Auguring well for an enhanced collaboration among the Organizational Partners of 3GPP, there was a strong collaborative spirit among the global stakeholders to work together in next generation technologies leading to an enhanced rural coverage as 5Gi’s coverage-enhancing transmission mode becomes part of 5G NR specifications. TSDSI and 3GPP will continue to work together in the coming months to enable this on ground to signal a collaborative journey ahead;” he added.
Indian stakeholders acknowledged their appreciation for the collective support and efforts by the global stakeholders for their endorsement of 5Gi key features, poised to become part of 3GPP 5G standards. This development represents a major milestone for global technology stakeholders to work together in partnership with India against digital divide and to enable affordable 5G services in rural and remote settings promoting SDGs and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
