5G Key For India To Enable A Connected Future

Damien Stephens, Associate Vice President, Mobility & IoT, Tata Communications, feels 5G will lead to the growth of embedded SIMs to manage the network connectivity of each car, ultimately ensuring a seamless driving experience

- Sunil Rajguru

What is the status of the global connected vehicle industry and how important will the implementation of 5G be for India to catch up with the rest of the world in that regard?

Connected vehicles are the new growth drivers of the auto industry. The global connected vehicle market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14% and grow to US$ 122.51 billion by 2023 and the India connected car market is not far behind, estimated to grow at a CAGR of 22.2% and reach US$ 32.5 billion by 2025.As connectivity makes rapid in-roads in India’s transportation system, Internet proliferation supported by 5G will further boost this connected car market.

Currently, the market is booming and automakers all over the world are investing in R&D to enable a connected future. According to a report by PWC, sales of 5G enabled vehicles are expected to reach 16 million in the EU, US and China by 2030 and countries world over are busy laying the framework for a 5G network. There is little doubt that it is pertinent for India to jump on the 5G band-wagon sooner to enable a connected future and bring in a new change of transformation.

Further, this wave of 5G will lead to the growth of embedded SIMs (eSIMs) in connected cars and make connectivity simpler. An eSIM will also allow car manufacturers to manage the network connectivity of each car, diagnose vehicle faults in real-time, and analyse driver habits and patterns to support the design of new vehicles, ultimately ensuring a seamless driving experience.

When do you think we can see regulation in allowing autonomous vehicles both in India and abroad?