Apple To Begin Releasing 5G Software Upgrade In India From Next Week

Tech giant Apple will reportedly begin rolling out the much awaited software upgrades for 5G network in India for select users as early as next week. 

The service will be made available as Apple begins pushing out its iOS 16 Beta software update. At the outset, Reliance Jio and Airtel iOS users who are part of the Beta programme will be eligible to use the 5G services. Post this, the update will be gradually rolled out for other users by the end of the year. 

Apple will release the 5G software update for four key phone variants – iPhone 12, iPhone SE, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 users. 

As part of the Beta programme, users will be able to give feedback to the tech giant on quality and usability of the next generation service. This, in turn, is expected to help the company identify issues and patch them. 

iOS 16 is the upcoming version of Apple’s priced operation system. The new version is expected to come packed with new personalisation features and a higher degree of privacy, among others. 

This comes barely a day after Airtel chief executive officer (CEO) Gopal Vittal confirmed the development saying that Apple would begin releasing its software update in the first week of November. He further added that all Apple devices were likely expected to support Airtel’s 5G services by mid-December.

He also said that all Android smartphones would be ready for 5G deployment beginning mid-November, adding that Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo and realme devices were ready for Airtel 5G. 

This more or less follows the earlier timeline issued by original equipment manufacturers regarding 5G deployment. While Samsung previously set mid-November for 5G software update, Google had earlier said that it was ‘actively working’ with Indian telcos to enable 5G functionality on its select smartphones. 

The haste from OEMs and telcos alike comes as the government has pressed the players for faster rollout of 5G services. 

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 5G services in the country amid much fanfare. While telecom operators have paid hefty amounts for spectrum, the initial period will likely help OEMs and telcos test the quality of the network and ramp up deployment.

While both Airtel and Reliance Jio have made public its plans for 5G deployment, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the dominant force in the 5G space.