According to industry sources, Indian telecom operators have surpassed the three-years 5G network rollout target given to them within six months. Meanwhile, the government is now focused on enhancing adoption of 5G applications across various key segments.
As per V.L. Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), when the spectrum was allocated to telecom service providers (TSPs) for 5G rollout, the government gave a minimum rollout obligation saying that within one year they have to cover a few cities within three years, a few towns and so on and so forth. Till date, TSPs have set up more than 100,000 sites in 350 towns. Moreover, the TSPs have announced that by the end of 2023 they will cover majority of the towns in the country, Rao noted.
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have been rolling out a 5G network across the country. However, Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) is awaiting fund raise post which it will infuse capital for rolling out 5G services. Further, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology and Railways has said that state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will start 5G services by April 2024.
