India has to forge partnerships in developing 5G technology. But with China?

India is at the crossroads on the 5G question, spoilt for choice at one level, and, yet, not fully equipped — both technologically and commercially — to shape the global conversation. Then again, why worry now? After all, the size and reach of the Indian market will eventually even out all concerns.

This approach underestimates both the 5G opportunity and the accompanying challenge. To clear some basic misconceptions first, 5G is not just another spectrum upgrade, like 2G to 4G. In fact, the general consensus is that the impact on the mobile phoneuse experience is not even its principal fallout. If 4G allows connectivity to 10,000 people per square kilometre, then 5G could make it three million. But there is no such realistic need.