LTTS, Qualcomm to provide solutions for 5G private networks

Indian IT company L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS) has extended its collaboration with U.S chipmaker Qualcomm Technologies, to deploy end-to-end solutions for the global 5G private network industry.  

A private 5G network is a dedicated network where the spectrum and the infrastructure required to run it will be controlled by an enterprise instead of a telecom operator. It is deployed for a specific enterprise/industry vertical customer that provides dedicated access to private resources. For instance, factory robots could be prioritised in a private network so that they always have the required bandwidth and speed at all times.

Read more: What is a private 5G network? 

Toward this end, Qualcomm Technologies will engage radio access network (RAN) automation technology for the automation and management of small cells along with pre-integrated private network solutions. RAN is a major component of a wireless telecommunications system that connects individual devices to other parts of a network, the company said. 

“Through this collaboration, we are bringing innovative solutions and services to market that will accelerate digital transformation for smart manufacturing, factory, logistics and warehousing sectors globally,” said Savi Soin, senior vice president, business development and partnerships at Qualcomm Technologies.

In line with the terms of the collaboration, LTTS will establish an engineering center of excellence in Santa Clara (California, US) with Qualcomm Technologies’ support to accelerate the adoption of 5G private wireless networks. 

“It will facilitate end-to-end system integration, design and implementation of use cases, provide engineering consulting, and deployment services along with edge-to-cloud orchestration and management, according to a company statement. 

“With the increasing demand for a connected world, LTTS is constantly leveraging its chip to cloud design expertise to realize the power of 5G and reshape the ideas of business,” Abhishek Sinha, Chief Operating Officer and Board Member at L&T Technology Services said.

A March 2022 report from research firm, International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts worldwide private 5G wireless infrastructure revenues will reach $8.3 billion by 2026, a significant increase from revenues of $1.7 billion in 2021. The market is expected to achieve a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.7% over the 2022-2026 forecast period. 

The announcement comes at a time when India gets ready to roll out its fifth-generation (5G) services. On October 1, prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 5G services in the country at the India Mobile Congress (IMC), touted as the largest telecom, media, and technology forum in Asia, jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

Read more: Phone makers prep upgrades to standalone 5G as rollouts near 

In August 2022, DoT received total bids worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore from the 5G spectrum auction. Reliance Jio, Adani group, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea were the four major participants in the spectrum sale.

Earlier, electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had stated that India is gearing up for the roll out of 5G services by October and the services will be scaled up after launch and should reach every part of the country in the next two to three years.

In January 2020, LTTS joined hands with Qualcomm to provide smart city solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators.