Apple is set to add 5G support for compatible iPhones in India as soon as this December. The move will be implemented with a future software update to be issued for iPhones sold in India, according to an official statement by the company to TechCrunch.
Airtel and Reliance Jio, India’s largest carriers, have begun offering 5G services in multiple major cities in India and alongside Apple, are set to add the next-gen cellular technology to iPhones as soon as this December ”“ two months from now. Google and Samsung are also in talks with the two carriers to bring 5G to each network-supported smartphone respectively.
“We are working with our carrier partners in India to bring the best 5G experience to iPhone users as soon as network validation and testing for quality and performance are completed. 5G will be enabled via a software update and will start rolling out to iPhone users in December.”
According to ET News, Airtel will start talks with the Cupertino-based giant this week regarding the incompatibility of 5G networks. The publication notes that Apple is already testing the fifth-gen network in the major cities of New Delhi and Mumbai”“ citing sources ”“ while a software update is slated for later this year.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that the Indian government has been pressuring Apple, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi to bring 5G support for the companies’ latest mobile devices. Since the debut of the iPhone 12 in 2020, 5G has been a cellular feature on every iPhone model.
Finally, the news agency states that high-level figures in the large carriers will meet with smartphone companies to discuss “prioritization” and the release of future software updates for 5G support.
While Apple is insisting on expanding 5G to additional countries, the company has been attempting to develop its own 5G modem for future iPhones. However, Qualcomm ”“ which currently makes the network modems ”“ is likely to continue supplying Cupertino with these modems for the next couple of years.
