"2025-05-07 News: Unveiling the Chronicles - Exploring the Latest Developments"
Reliance Jio's shift towards a domestically developed 5G technology stack is significantly enhancing India's digital self-reliance. By reducing dependence on foreign vendors, lowering costs, and fostering rapid customization, Jio's indigenous stack is positioning India as a potential global telecom supplier [1].
Jio has developed an end-to-end proprietary 5G stack, built entirely in-house. This includes core, software, hardware, and business support systems. The ownership of this technology cuts license fees, accelerates revenue ramp-up, and allows for tailored configuration based on specific requirements [1].
One unique aspect of Jio's technology is the use of UBR technology, acquired through the US firm Mimosa Networks and deployed at scale. This technology enables multiple home connections from a single 5G cell site, substantially lowering deployment costs. As a result, Jio has captured an 82% share of the 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) market in India [1][4].
As of mid-2025, Jio serves over 213 million 5G users supported by this home-grown technology. The 5G FWA segment has become the world’s largest fixed wireless access platform, connecting more than 7.4 million users. This rapid expansion is facilitated by the cost efficiency and scalability of the proprietary technology stack [2][4].
Jio's 5G standalone core infrastructure also supports advanced network slicing—creating multiple virtual networks tailored for diverse use cases such as enterprise, IoT, gaming, and critical services. This indicates the maturity and flexibility of the domestic technology solution [3].
The combination of Jio’s indigenous 5G technology, strong market penetration in India, and growing global attention suggests India could emerge as an influential player in the global telecom supply chain. This could potentially lead to India exporting 5G solutions internationally and consolidating its digital sovereignty [1][2].
This domestic technological prowess aligns with India's broader strategic goals of digital self-reliance. By enabling homegrown infrastructure and expertise critical for digital transformation and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, Jio is laying the groundwork for an independent, highly smart future for India [2].
In addition to reducing financial expenditures, Jio is gaining the flexibility to better meet market expectations by developing its own 5G infrastructure. If successful, this could inspire other Indian businesses to follow suit, further reducing India's dependence on foreign technology.
Jio carefully manages the arranged deployment throughout India to ensure performance criteria are maintained during the changeover. It is anticipated that Jio's choice to use its own R&D teams for telecom hardware will save billions of dollars over time. The logistical delays and growing expenses in global telecom supply chains prompted Jio's decision to use domestically developed telecom gear.
Jio's strategy supports India's broader goal of digital self-reliance. By developing and deploying its own 5G technology, Jio is not only reducing costs but also positioning India as a future global telecom supplier. This move is seen as a groundbreaking development in the way telecom networks are developed in India. It could be a watershed in India's digital development, positioning India as a leader in the next stage of telecom development.
[1] The Economic Times
[2] LiveMint
[3] Financial Express
[4] TelecomTalk
The strategy of Jio in developing an indigenous 5G technology stack not only reduces dependence on foreign vendors but also lowers costs and fosters rapid customization, thereby strengthening India's position as a potential global telecom supplier, as noted by The Economic Times [1]. As India consolidates its digital self-reliance by enabling homegrown infrastructure and expertise for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, there is potential for Indian businesses to follow suit, further reducing the dependency on foreign technology, as discussed in LiveMint [2].
