When 3G and 4G networks were rolled out in India, the same promise lay before internet users across the country: availability of high-speed internet. However, over time, telecom companies saw the inertia among Indian users, who refused to upgrade to 3G and 4G networks.

The lag in adoption was primarily due to two reasons, as reported in this CARE Ratings report of 2014: “inconsistencies in 3G network performance leading to visibly less difference in internet speeds as compared to those on the 2G network and the relatively higher cost of 3G services...” These same reasons applied to the delayed adoption of 4G network as well.

However, now that the 5G network can be seen emerging in the not so distant future, India does not want to stay behind the eight ball this time.

With 5G expected to be rolled out commercially by 2020, a state government-commissioned research team has already been hard at work keeping pace with developing 5G technology. The team has already filed 100 patents so far, of which around 10 have already been granted, as reported today (20 October) by The Economic Times.

This is an exciting development for India, as 5G, or the fifth generation of wireless networks, will offer users around the globe not just higher speeds but also “the capacity to connect the billions of devices like driverless cars and household appliances which will connect to the internet in the near future,” as reported by ET.

What’s heartening to see is that not the just government but even private stakeholders are partnering in this effort. Already Reliance Jio, Tata Teleservices, Tejas Networks and several startups are helping out by offering both people and equipment.

An official of the electronics and IT ministry said,