By TV Ramachandran
The recent revival of plans to conduct a demand estimation study for private 5G networks in India might sound like a reasonable step on paper. But make no mistake—this is not a fresh initiative; it’s a replay of an old exercise from nearly three years ago. The government first spoke of assessing industrial demand for private 5G as far back as 2021. Since then, little has moved on the ground despite rising interest from Indian industry and a clear global momentum.
Now, in 2025, talk of launching the same study again—without any interim policy action—risks looking less like consultation and more like procrastination. This time, it must be called out for what it increasingly resembles: a delaying tactic, likely influenced by resistance from certain quarters of the establishment that continue to view private 5G as a threat rather than an opportunity.
The world has moved on
Across the globe, private 5G has emerged as a game-changer for smart factories, logistics hubs, energy utilities, ports, airports, and research campuses. What sets apart the leading nations is not just their recognition of demand, but also their decisiveness. Germany conducted consultations in 2018 and acted by 2019—reserving 100 megahertz in the 3.7-3.8 gigahertz (GHz) band for enterprises. There are over 3,700 licences there today. China is reported to have over 40,000 private 5G deployments till date. Japan, through pilot projects and demand surveys, rolled out local 5G spectrum in 4.8 and 28 GHz bands, backed it with subsidies, and has issued 167 licences.The UK introduced a Shared Access licensing model and released on-demand spectrum based on industrial expressions of interest, without spending time on a study. The US had no centralised study but it enabled widespread adoption (300 deployments) through the dynamic CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) framework in the 3.5 GHz band. Korea has, in the 4.7 GHz spectrum, about 100 (19 enterprise-led) licences.
India, contrastingly, has spent more time debating the need for a study than others spent going from demand assessment to deployment.
Industrial demand is evident
It is disingenuous to suggest that India still lacks evidence of demand for private 5G. Several indicators contradict this claim.
Major players in sectors such as automotive, information technology, logistics, airports, mining, and ports have applied for experimental licences to test private 5G networks over the past three years. Solutions like Network in a Box are readily available worldwide for small-scale deployments and the ecosystem of cloud-based 5G core and system integrators is also available for faster delivery of private 5G.
Several industry associations have submitted position papers, participated in Telecom Regulatory Authority of India consultations, and highlighted use cases that would benefit from dedicated or lightly licensed spectrum access. India’s digital manufacturing policy itself hinges on deploying next-gen connectivity for smart factories—which cannot be achieved through public networks alone.
If the purpose of a demand study is to identify use cases, assess readiness, and understand constraints, much of this information is already publicly available or easily extractable from pilot deployments.
Studies no substitute for policy
No one argues against evidence-based policymaking. But repeated studies without execution reflect bureaucratic loop-backs, not prudence. In fact, the timing of this renewed talk of a demand estimation study comes suspiciously close to mounting pressure from telcos opposing any direct private 5G spectrum access to enterprises.
If India delays action until after yet another study, we risk losing industrial competitiveness, particularly in manufacturing clusters that are looking for low-latency, high-reliability connectivity; as well as forfeiting the chance to develop a domestic ecosystem of 5G radios, core networks, system integrators, and managed service providers for enterprise-grade networks. We would also send a signal to global investors that India is not ready to walk the talk on smart infrastructure.
Instead of launching a fresh study from scratch, the government should consider a phased policy roll-out.
Phase 1: Open up spectrum on a pilot basis in high-priority bands (e.g. 3.7-3.8 GHz band, 26 GHz band, etc.) for industrial zones, ports, and campuses.
Phase 2: Allow, administratively, direct spectrum access to enterprises through light licensing, not frighten them away with talk of licensing and/or auction. These latter will obviously benefit only the deep-pocketed.
Phase 3: Create a regulatory sandbox that balances enterprise access with safeguards for incumbent operators.
India should lead, not lag
India has no dearth of talent, ambition, or need for private 5G. Cabinet policy is also in place. What is lacking is execution. The notion that we must first “study” demand before acting ignores both the weight of existing evidence and the lessons of global best practices. Did we do it before introducing retail 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G? It’s time to stop using studies as a smokescreen to delay or stifle an established good initiative. A truly digital India cannot be built by stalling innovation in the name of consultation and study. The clock is ticking—and in the digital economy, delay in action is not harmless. It is costly and irreparably harmful to the nation and the consumers.
The writer is Hon. fellow, Institution of Engineering and Technology, and president, Broadband India Forum.
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