After China’s 5G roll out on the LAC, the Indian Army is also engaged in providing high-speed network to the mountainous areas.
After China started 5G services along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to improve its communication and data network, the Indian Army also tried to expand its own 4G and 5G based mobile cellular networks, which are known to be mountainous areas. Can be used at altitudes up to 18,000 feet.
The Army has issued an Open Request for Information (RFI) for this, in which tenders have been sought from companies to provide technology in such inaccessible areas.
It is believed that this network will provide reliable and secure voice, message and data services as per the requirement of military bases located in inaccessible areas.
The Army is looking at the possibility of such a network being available and its services within 12 months of the signing of the agreement.
In 2020, the first construction activity was started by the Chinese immediately after the standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh. It was connected only by laying fiber-optic cabling on its side to ensure smooth communication link.
Only after that China has also started 5G network. According to defense sources, the Chinese have already launched it near the LAC and are in the process of connecting all their communication and surveillance systems to the same.
The Army, in its RFI, has clarified that the network should be such that it is not focused on a particular Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) leading to vendor lock-in issues and must be in compliance with globally accepted standards. should.
In addition, the network must be compliant with privacy requirements, requiring the system to have the ability to associate encryption devices with devices available to the buyer.
The army is facing problems related to mobile communication on the forward fronts in high altitude areas.
Sources in the defense and security establishment said that while a secure radio frequency with satellite mode is available, 4G and 5G networks are the need of the hour as it will help in faster communication and data transfer.
India may get 5G services by March 2023
Tuesday is also the first important phase for the 5G rollout process in India.
Four corporate giants-Adani Enterprises, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vi (Vodafone Idea) are bidding in the 5G auction that began earlier in the day on Tuesday. It is believed that bidding will be done on the RFI of the Army on behalf of the said companies.
Union Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said in a program last month that India is expected to start getting 5G services fully by March 2023.
Residents of the country’s border areas, especially Ladakh – which has been witnessing a tense India-China standoff for the past two years – are also demanding better mobile communication, at least 4G.
In November last year, Councilor Konchok Stanzin, who represented Chushul in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Leh, submitted a three-page memorandum to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh with this demand. Rajnath Singh had come to inaugurate the renovated Rezang La War Memorial in the village.
Stanzin had demanded fiber-optic cables and 4G towers for each of the nine villages of Chushul, among other demands.
In June this year itself, 4G network was started in some forward border areas of Ladakh.
Reliance Jio has extended the reach of its 4G services in the Ladakh region to a village near Pangong Lake – which has been a point of standoff between India and China – by installing a mobile tower in Spangmic village.