BMRCL turns country's first metro line to conduct 5G tests

"TRAI has selected MG Road station for 5G network trails. The system consisting of Outdoor Small Cells (ODSC), Distributed Antenna System (DAS) was installed by Reliance Jio from July 5, 2022 and the testing was carried out on July 21, 2022."

As a part of a pilot project run by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI), Bengaluru Metro Rail became the first metro in India to test the 5G network.

Reliance Jio constructed a 5G network for the experimental project, which was conducted at MG Road metro station. The test was 50 times faster than 4G, with download and upload rates of 1.45 Gbps and 65 Mbps, respectively.

"TRAI has selected MG Road station for 5G network trails. The system consisting of Outdoor Small Cells (ODSC), Distributed Antenna System (DAS) was installed by Reliance Jio from July 5, 2022 and the testing was carried out on July 21, 2022. ODSC radiated signal covering up to a distance of 200-meter radius. Preliminary bandwidth trial has given 1.45 Gbps download, and 65 Mbps upload speeds, making it 50 times faster than 4G," said a press release from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL).

Bengaluru currently has a 55 km-long metro network with over 115 km of the metro network presently under construction. For more than 70 km of 2 new lines, DPR preparation is expected to soon start.

"Commuters will benefit from 5G technology as they will enjoy coverage throughout the journey. With 5G, QR generation and operation at the AFC gates will be easier. PoS machines at the ticket office (card reading) which rely upon data connection will also function smoothly," a BMRCL official informed The Times of India.

Namma Metro started giving its clients access to the internet in 2013. The first metro train offering basic internet service ran between Byappanahalli and MG Road metro stations.

Given that the BMRCL has expanded the services around the city, the most recent action is anticipated to boost the usage of public transit more regularly. As the metro construction moves forward, metro stations will soon be available in highly inhabited regions including KR Puram and Tin Factory areas.

By the end of 2022, as many as 13 Indian cities are anticipated to have 5G services available, and Namma Metro is set to play a significant part in delivering the premium service throughout the city. Telecom companies would be assissted in setting up tiny cells for 5G in the city by Namma Metro that currently has a 56 km network.

Basavaraj Bommai, the chief minister of Karnataka, announced during his budget speech that 33 kilometeres in the metro line is expected to be included by 2022-2023. Which will give Namma Metro a total of 89 kilometers of metro line.