Manoj Kumar Singh, Director General, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association
The Indian telecom sector stands at the forefront of a digital revolution, poised to drive the nation’s economic growth and technological prowess. As the industry navigates the transformative landscape of 5G and beyond, a critical solution has emerged – the strategic utilisation of street furniture. This unassuming yet pivotal infrastructure holds the key to unlocking India’s digital future, serving as a win-win proposition for both telecom operators and the public.
India’s telecom sector has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, with the number of towers doubling to 800,000 and optic fibre cable coverage expanding to an impressive 4 million km. This extensive network forms the foundation of India’s digital aspirations, enabling widespread connectivity and paving the way for advanced services. The government’s proactive approach, through initiatives such as the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 and the Digital India programme, has been instrumental in this growth, attracting $100 billion in investments and enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure.
As India stands on the cusp of the 5G era, the strategic utilisation of street furniture is emerging as a game changer. Street furniture, which encompasses public infrastructure such as street lights, traffic lights, metro pillars and electricity poles, presents a unique opportunity to streamline 5G deployment. According to the National Building Code of India, there are a staggering 26,532,586 units of street furniture across the country, as mapped on the National Master Plan (PM Gati Shakti), ready to be leveraged for this purpose.
The advantages of harnessing street furniture for 5G roll-out are manifold. Firstly, it allows for the efficient use of existing infrastructure, reducing the need for costly new tower installations. By leveraging these pre-existing public assets, infrastructure providers can minimise operational expenses and capital expenditure requirements. This strategic approach significantly lowers their costs, paving the way for faster and more widespread 5G deployment across the country. Rather than bearing the burden of building new towers from scratch, providers can now tap into the vast network of street furniture – street lights, traffic signals, metro pillars and electricity poles – to expedite the 5G roll-out in a cost-effective manner. This win-win scenario empowers infrastructure providers to play a pivotal role in India’s 5G revolution, while also benefiting telecom operators through reduced capex and faster time-to-market.
Secondly, the deployment of 5G small cells on street furniture enables a more densified network, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced service quality. The higher bandwidth, lower latency and improved energy efficiency of 5G technology can be optimised through this strategic approach, catering to the ever-increasing demand for data-intensive applications and services.
Moreover, the integration of 5G with India’s Smart Cities Mission presents a remarkable opportunity to showcase the nation’s technological prowess on a global stage. With 7,238 smart city projects already completed and a budget of Rs 1.45 trillion invested, the convergence of 5G and smart city solutions can transform urban landscapes, fostering innovation, improving public services and enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens.
Beyond the 5G revolution, the strategic utilisation of street furniture lays the foundation for a robust and future-proof digital infrastructure. The concept of “telecom infrastructure sharing”, enabled by the IP-1 framework, has already proven to be a game changer, offering advantages such as reduced capex and opex, minimised asset duplication and lowered barriers for new entrants. By extending this model to street furniture, the digital infrastructure sector can unlock even greater synergies, paving the way for a truly connected and inclusive India.
The government’s proactive approach, as evident in the recent Telecommunications Act, 2023, and Rules, 2024, has modernised the regulatory framework, addressing emerging technologies and promoting ease of doing business in the sector. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s “Recommendations on Use of Street Furniture for Small Cell and Aerial Fiber Deployment” further underscores the importance of this approach, providing a clear road map for the effective deployment of small cells and aerial fibre on street furniture.
Looking ahead, the strategic imperatives for India’s telecom sector include ubiquitous connectivity, in-building solutions, accelerated gram panchayat connections, rapid 5G deployment, leveraging the Universal Service Obligation Fund (Digital Bharat Nidhi), fostering technological leadership through research and development and strengthening digital public infrastructure.
The future of street furniture in India’s digital landscape is promising. As the country aims to position itself as a global leader in telecom, the strategic utilisation of this extensive infrastructure will be a crucial part of the nation’s long-term vision. By seamlessly integrating street furniture into the deployment of 5G and beyond, India can achieve ubiquitous connectivity, bridge the digital divide and drive inclusive growth.
