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They say Airtel could have an initial edge as the version of its 5G rollout - non-standalone (NSA) mode – is now more evolved with over 90% of the global networks using this. But analysts added that Jio’s standalone (SA) mode is a superior version of 5G, and if the ecosystem evolves fast enough, it could nullify Airtel’s early advantage.
“5G will be a battle of giants. With their vastly differing 5G strategies, Bharti’s execution versus Jio and the evolution of their respective ecosystems will chart the course of their market share wins,” Edelweiss Securities<\/a> said.
It added that the unfolding Jio-Airtel 5G battle won’t be around technology but on faster adoption of their respective ecosystems to drive down costs for all stakeholders.
Airtel, which has opted for the NSA mode, is targeting a pan-India 5G rollout by March 2024. Jio -- the sole holder of 700 MHz spectrum -- has chosen the SA mode for its countywide 5G rollout.
Jio’s parent, Reliance Industries, in its latest annual report, says the telco’s 5G coverage plan for India’s top-1,000 cities is ready. Airtel on its part has said coverage plans for 5000 cities and towns are ready.
Analysts say Jio could challenge competition as an SA network would help it offer a differentiated 5G service if the ecosystem around the 700 MHz band develops rapidly as benefits of these airwaves include strong indoor penetration in dense urban geographies and good coverage in rural areas.
“If 5G adoption accelerates and the next spectrum auction is delayed, the 700 MHz band can provide Jio an edge in coverage and improve its market share,” BNP Paribas said.
Experts, though, maintain that 5G use cases relevant to India coupled with the handset ecosystem around the 700 MHz band are yet to mature. They added that in key 5G markets like US and South Korea --- that have deployed both SA and NSA modes – the SA networks generated less than 10% of overall 5G traffic, suggesting that vendor and device ecosystems around NSA 5G networks<\/a> are now more developed globally.
Some analysts, who participated in Airtel’s Q1 earnings call this week, said the telco is convinced its NSA 5G architecture is cost-efficient and offers advantages of sweating 4G assets better as it leverages a more globally established network of gear makers. This is since the 5G NSA mode uses existing 4G mid-band airwaves (1800 MHz, 2100 MHz) along with C-band capacity 5G spectrum (3.3-3.5 GHz) to offer faster speeds.
Airtel has also claimed an NSA 5G network – using mid-band airwaves (1800\/2100 MHz) -- would offer faster call connect.