Synopsis
The government has announced that 5G services are now available in 773 out of 776 districts across India, marking a significant milestone in telecommunications. This rollout is supported by the installation of numerous BTSs and various initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and service delivery.Key Takeaways
- 5G services launched in 773 out of 776 districts.
- Over 4.69 lakh BTSs installed nationwide.
- Telecom providers exceeded minimum rollout obligations.
- Government initiatives support 5G rollout.
- Significant growth potential in Indian telecom sector.
New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) The 5G services, implemented across all states and Union Territories, are currently accessible in 773 out of 776 districts nationwide, including Lakshadweep, as reported by the government to Parliament on Wednesday.
As of February 28, a total of 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been deployed by telecom service providers (TSPs) throughout the country, revealed Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, in a written response to a Lok Sabha inquiry.
TSPs have successfully broadened the availability of 5G services, exceeding the minimum rollout requirements outlined in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) for the spectrum auction.
The minister noted that the expansion of mobile services beyond these requirements is contingent upon the techno-commercial considerations of the TSPs.
The government has initiated several measures to facilitate the rollout of 5G services, such as auctioning spectrum for 5G mobile services, implementing financial reforms to optimize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs), and interest rates, as well as abolishing Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired in the 2022 auction and beyond.
Additional initiatives include the simplification of processes for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance, the launch of the PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal, and the Right of Way (RoW) Rules to expedite RoW permissions and the clearance for telecom infrastructure installation, along with timely permission for utilizing street furniture for the setup of small cells and telecommunication lines.
The Indian telecom sector is witnessing significant growth, both domestically and internationally, with considerable potential for further expansion, as stated by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
With around 1,187 million subscribers, urban tele-density has climbed to 131.01 percent, while rural tele-density stands at 58.31 percent.
The rapid rollout of 5G is being advanced by artificial intelligence (AI), local data sets, and the establishment of localized data centers.
