The government has informed Parliament that 5G services, rolled out across all states and Union Territories, are now available in 773 out of 776 districts, including Lakshadweep.
As of February 28, telecom service providers (TSPs) have installed 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) across the country, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, stated in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
TSPs have expanded 5G coverage beyond the minimum rollout obligations prescribed in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) for the spectrum auction. The minister added that further expansion of mobile services depends on the techno-commercial considerations of the telecom companies.
The government has implemented several initiatives to facilitate the 5G rollout, including the auction of spectrum, financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), bank guarantees, and interest rates. Additionally, the removal of spectrum usage charges for spectrum acquired in the 2022 auction and beyond has encouraged growth in the sector.
Other measures include simplifying procedures for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance, launching the PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal, and implementing Right of Way (RoW) rules to streamline permissions for telecom infrastructure. These efforts also include time-bound approvals for using street furniture to install small cells and telecommunication lines.
The Indian telecom industry continues to witness significant growth both domestically and internationally, with immense potential for further expansion, according to the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Currently, the country has approximately 1,187 million subscribers, with urban tele-density reaching 131.01 percent and rural areas standing at 58.31 percent.
The rapid rollout of 5G is being facilitated by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), indigenous data sets, and the establishment of localized data centers, further strengthening India’s position in the global telecom landscape.
-IANS
