Huawei on Covid-19: India’s cellular traffic jumped up to 30% under lockdown

Huawei estimates that India’s cellular traffic increased between 13 and 30 per cent during the lockdown, taking it to the top in terms of data consumption anywhere in the world.

Huawei, covid 19, network infrastructure, India telecom sector, Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, 5G in India

As social distancing, remote working and consumption of entertainment over the internet are the new normal in the post-COVID-19 world, the role of the telecom sector making people connected during the pandemic is critical.

Huawei estimates that India’s cellular traffic increased between 13 and 30 per cent during the lockdown, taking it to the top in terms of data consumption anywhere in the world. By the end of March, it had risen to an unprecedented 307 petabytes per day, said Radhey Shyam Sarda, CTO Wireless, Huawei Telecommunications India.

The coronavirus pandemic, Sarda said, “will make telecom infrastructure more critical and more important than ever”, adding how Huawei’s investment in critical network infrastructure technologies in India is paying off. He cited two examples. The Multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) technology that generates three to five times more capacity compared to a traditional base station and Cloud Air for dynamic sharing of spectrum across the technologies.

“Yes, India’s telecom industry is going through certain stress but as far as the network traffic is concerned, we see it is continuously growing,” Sarda said. This accelerated adoption of digital has made ICT as critical as water and electricity, he added.

“Today, the telecom industry is dealing with on a daily basis to be able to adapt to scale and to guarantee that the network is in place,” said Emmanuel Coelho Alves, Senior Marketing Director, Huawei Technologies.

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On the status of 5G in India, Sarda said that work has been going on both the 5G field trial and spectrum auction. There are reports that claim that there won’t be a 5G spectrum auction in India this year, though the reason for the delay is not clear. While 5G-ready phones are already available in India, networks supporting 5G have to be developed and deployed.

The 5G rollout across the world is somewhat slower than expected. Many believe that COVID-19 could further add to the already slower-than-expected rollout of the next generation of wireless technology systems.

Anuj Bhatia

Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle. Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include: Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech. Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups. Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech. Authoritativeness & Trust Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape. Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More

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