These days 5G and Huawei is in the news. Most
people ask - why it is such a big affair? In most conversations about ‘5G’ it seems
that it is wiser to say ‘Haan Ji’ and let it pass. However what is happening about
Huawei and Chinese electronic surveillance and data theft is insidiously significant.
It is part of the Multi Domain War which is being waged by China.
The Chinese government uses unconventional
levers of influence which are disguised
and hidden. Hence, they are often denied,
neglected or unappreciated by us. Chinese three-warfare
strategy uses innocuous communication devices as surveillance platforms. It tracks
and suppresses political opponents while spinning positive coverage and
information regarding weak and corrupt governments specially in BRI countries. Of
course, the China story is also glorified. Chinese infrastructure, communications and surveillance
systems cause over dependence on China, which becomes indispensable and expensive
to replace. Chinese communication devices and software are part of a surveillance
and intelligence collection system for data manipulation and opinion molding to
cause inalienable economic and political dependence.
China has
been constantly undermining our sovereignty
and surreptitiously affecting
our lifestyles. All this affects the freedoms we enjoy. It robs us of privacy
systematically. Most of the time we do not even know that we have been made the
prisoners of our conditioned choice. If we choose to remain ignorant, we are choosing
to be entrapped in a web. Hence it is important for lay persons like you and I,
to understand what 5G is about and then take it forward from there. This
article is about basics of 5G and issues involved.
5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks.
It will be largely wireless. 5G
can support up to a million devices per square kilometer, while 4G supports
only about 1000 devices per square kilometer. It is the difference between driving on the Delhi
Mathura Highway and a Chawri bazaar lane. it is based on Millimetric Wave and
Fiber optic carriageways of enormous bandwidth. It is all set to disrupt normal
and military communication. 5G caters for large data transfers which take place when multiple and complex
systems operate. Large data must flow up and down communications
channels in real time as and when Internet of Things (IOT) comes into play. Billions
of connected devices are required to operate together in the IOT scheme of
things. 5G networks will initially operate in conjunction with existing 4G
networks. As and when 5G rolls out fully, standalone networks will come into
play.
5G is characterized by higher capacity, speed, and latency. Initially 5G might start with frequency bands below 6 GHz (in many cases in the 3.3-3.8 GHz bands). These are similar frequencies to existing 4G mobile and Wi-Fi networks. In due course 5G networks will migrate to the millimetric wave spectrum in the 26-28 GHz bands and beyond. Millimetric waves have short wavelengths that range from 1to 10 millimeters. A thumb rule – greater the frequency, greater the bandwidth and greater the capacity. Hence the EHF range in which 5G will operate has enormous bandwidths. The additional spectrum and greater capacity will enable more users, more data, and faster connections. Another important advantage of 5G is the increased latency. Latency is the response time for a device to react to another. The response time in 3G networks was around 100 milliseconds. In 4G it is about 30 milliseconds. In 5G it will dip to 1 millisecond. It will be near instantaneous communication which will be especially important in connected applications, especially in defense. The essential difference between 4G and 5G has been tabulated above.
A 5G network will have two layers. The ‘Radio
Access Network’ and the ‘Core Network’.
The Radio Access Network consists of Small Cells
in, towers, masts, light poles in streets and dedicated in-building and home
systems. It provides various facilities to
connect mobile users and their wireless devices to the main core network. The
small cells will be numerous and ubiquitous and will replace all cables. Small
cells will be a major feature of 5G networks. It is fundamental to understand
that the millimetric wave with its high frequency will have noticeably short
connection ranges. To provide a continuous connection, small cells will be
distributed in clusters depending on where users require connection which will
complement the macro network that provides wide-area coverage.
The ‘Core’ or ‘Macro Cell’ or ‘Backbone’ Network
is the mobile exchange and data network that manages all the mobile voice, data,
and internet connections. For 5G, the ‘Core Network’ would be initially based
on existing 4G Towers or high Capacity Fiber Optic pathways. As millimetric
wave frequencies become the norm, the 4G towers will be replaced by MIMO (multiple input, multiple output)
antennas. 5G Macro Cells will use
MIMO antennas that have multiple elements or connections to send and receive
more data simultaneously. These will be integrated with the internet and cloud-based
services. Eventually they will be linked to satellite systems for seamless
global coverage.
5G enables massive machine to machine
communications. That is the fundamental precept of IOT, where devices get
connected without human intervention. Hence any 5G network will have
sophisticated high-end switches and servers. That is where all the front-end
semiconductor technology kicks in. This is also where data can be siphoned off
from. The exceptionally stable and low
latency 5G communications will be of value in time and mission critical requirements.
These include control devices, robotics, vehicle to vehicle communications, safety
systems, and safer transport networks. They will also come in handy in
future where remote medical care, procedures, and treatment are all possible. Especially
important in remote areas. The normal user gets enhanced mobile broadband. That
means significantly faster data speeds and greater capacity. It provides about
100mbps for a mobile user and about 1 Gbps when he is static. New applications
will include fixed wireless internet access for homes, outdoor broadcast
applications without the need for broadcast vans, and greater connectivity for
people on the move. 5G usage will
explode with time.
5G
will be a huge enabler for smart concepts - cities, schools, homes, and safer
vehicles. It will enhance governance, health care and education tremendously. 5G
and IOT will enable data handling and analysis by businesses and industry to streamline
operations. It will
revolutionize industrial processes and applications including agriculture,
manufacturing, and business communications. Data driven key business
decisions will lead to innovation, pave way for cost savings, better customer
experience and long-term growth. 5G communication capacities will boost use of
AR/VR and get AI into our homes faster. It will revolutionize our banking and
financial systems. However such huge capability of data handling and analysis
has its tremendous drawbacks. A 5G without due cyber security and control is
sheer suicide. There are health related issues with using
millimeter waves and being surrounded and constantly bombarded by Extra High
Frequencies. That is a huge unknown which needs clarification.
Communications
are the lifeblood of armed forces in the battlefield. From a military
perspective, 5G will promote Digitalization of
Defence. The multiplicative effect of 5G communications on robotics, cyber
war, militarization of space, unmanned systems, surveillance, info, control,
and data networks for net centric warfare is immense. In my opinion, 5G has the
potential to promote lethality in a
multidimensional battlefield where simultaneous and nonlinear application of
optimum force to achieve out of proportion outcomes will increasingly be the
order of the day – in peace and war times. In my perspective 5G
leads to something far more important. It can kick start Civil Military Fusion in
India. India was in the Dhritarashtra mode from 1G to
4G. Till recently the government was blind when it entertained
Huawei to even put a bid for 5G. I am sure that Galwan has opened our eyes. While
keeping China out must be a major part of the India growth story hereafter, serious
Civil Military Fusion through 5G must be the other part of the story.
Huawei and other Trojan Horses are being deployed by China very
deliberately into India. Other Trojan Horses include those which have links with the PLA directly of indirectly. It is Multi Domain War being unleashed in the slickest
and most skillful manner. The designs and plans are ominous. Some more banning
of ‘Chinese’ is as good for Indian health as deworming and detoxification is
for an infected person. Between China and the Virus, I will take my chances
with the latter.
As
a nation we need to realize that there is no hurry to usher in 5G. When we have
not been able to exploit 4G fully why jump into 5G which is still an unknown? This
is also the opportunity to weaponize and leverage our market. Let us develop 5G technology indigenously or
through a strategic joint Government to Government collaboration on a mission
mode as part of the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan. 5G must be a harbinger of an era of Civil
Military Fusion if India has to
a global power in future.
Finally.
This article is all about 5G and Civil Military Fusion on one side vs ignorantly
saying ‘Haan Ji’ and letting the ‘Chinese Trojan Horse’ in on the other. India
must say ‘Na Ji’ in the true ‘Hindi Chini Bye Bye‘ mode. Show me a second opinion on this and I will
show you the traitor.
References
http://www.emfexplained.info/?ID=25916
https://www.gunnersshot.com/2019/05/digitalization-in-defense-basic-canvas.html
https://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/feature/Understand-the-basics-of-5G-wireless-networks
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20190505_understanding_5g_a_basic_primer/
An eye opener fit to awaken the young military minds and the scholars in the Civil domain including the country's Decision makers.A logical writeup ,well compiled. Kudos to you Sir,..Push
ReplyDeleteThanks dear Shankar, a well researched article yet again! In a layman's language, Chinese G5 is indeed a spyware. The world is/will shun it.
ReplyDeleteOur Indian Jio 5G is in the making at full speed with the coop of Google & many other leading giants in the field of digital communications. Till then we must utilise our 4G tech!
Brilliant piece sir...and a much needed one. It couldn't have come at a more appropriate time.
ReplyDeleteSo very informative and put across simply. Excellent Shankar
ReplyDeleteVery well articulated.
ReplyDelete