Jio Platforms, the leading telecommunications provider in India, intends to launch its 5G network across the nation during the latter portion of 2021, as announced by its chairman, Mukesh Ambani, on Tuesday.

“India currently ranks among the world’s most digitally connected countries. To maintain this position, supportive policies are essential to expedite the deployment of 5G technology, ensuring it is both accessible and affordable nationwide. I want to assure everyone that Jio will lead the 5G transformation in India starting in the second half of 2021,” stated Ambani, who also heads Reliance Industries, the parent company of Jio Platforms, during a business forum.

This declaration is noteworthy given that India has not yet allocated spectrum for 5G networks to its telecom operators. The timing of when India will commence the auctioning process for 5G spectrum remains currently undefined.

Ambani, recognized as India’s wealthiest individual, expressed his confidence that the introduction of 5G in India will position the world’s second-largest internet market at the forefront of what he described as the fourth industrial revolution. “Jio Platforms, alongside its network of more than 20 startup partners, has developed exceptional expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data analytics, machine learning, the internet of things, and blockchain technology,” he explained.

The telecommunications company, which has secured over $20 billion in investment this year from prominent investors like Facebook and Google, also conveyed its optimism that its range of services in sectors like education, healthcare, financial services, and emerging commerce will, upon successful implementation in India, be extended globally to address worldwide challenges.

Gopal Vittal, the CEO of Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom company, indicated the company anticipates a nationwide 5G network in India within two to three years. However, he did not specify a timeframe for the commencement of 5G rollout on Airtel’s network. (During a recent earnings discussion, Vittal cautioned that the anticipated cost of 5G spectrum was “extremely high” – a factor that could hinder viable business models.)

In his address, Ambani also encouraged industry participants to prioritize domestically manufactured hardware and components. “As the digitalization of the Indian economy and society accelerates, the demand for digital hardware will increase substantially. We must reduce our reliance on extensive imports in this critical area of national importance.”

Airtel has previously indicated its willingness to collaborate with international companies for component sourcing. “Huawei, over the past decade or so, has significantly improved its products, and I can confidently say that their 3G and 4G offerings are demonstrably superior to those of Ericsson and Nokia. I utilize all three,” stated Sunil Mittal, the founder of Airtel, at an earlier conference. During the same event, U.S. commerce secretary Wilbur Ross urged India and other U.S. allies to avoid utilizing Huawei products.

Vittal also emphasized the importance of India adopting globally recognized 5G standards. “There are discussions about India developing its own 5G standard. This poses a significant risk, potentially isolating India from the global ecosystem and hindering the pace of innovation. We risk disadvantaging our citizens if this were to occur.”

During the panel discussion, which included the participation of Mittal and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ambani also highlighted the need to address the needs of approximately 300 million individuals in India who still utilize 2G networks. “Immediate policy measures are required to ensure these underserved individuals have access to affordable smartphones, enabling them to benefit from Direct Benefit Transfer into their bank accounts and actively engage in the Digital Economy,” he added.