Network Slicing to Help Drive Next Wave of 5G Innovation in India

GSMA welcomes the growing global momentum around 5G network slicing, an important capability of standalone 5G networks that is already being explored and deployed across a number of international markets within their respective policy and regulatory frameworks.

Under the leadership of the Government of India, the Ministry of Communications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the country's telecom sector has made significant strides in deploying world-class 5G infrastructure, supported by substantial industry investment and a strong focus on digital innovation. With operators having invested more than four lakh crore rupees into 5G rollout, India is well positioned to play a leading role in the next phase of digital transformation, next-generation network innovation and future 6G evolution.

Globally, operators in markets including China, the United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Malaysia have launched or are piloting network slicing-enabled services designed to support differentiated connectivity experiences, improved network efficiency and evolving consumer and enterprise needs. Approaches to network slicing services and their interaction with policy and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve across different markets globally.

GSMA believes network slicing has the potential to support a broad range of future digital services and industrial applications, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities, public safety and immersive digital experiences across India. By enabling multiple virtual networks to operate on shared infrastructure, network slicing can help deliver the performance, reliability and responsiveness required by different use cases, while also supporting continued investment and innovation in next-generation digital infrastructure.

GSMA encourages continued dialogue between industry, policymakers and regulators to help unlock the full potential of 5G, support innovation and investment, strengthen consumer trust, and reinforce India's position as a leading global digital economy.