Over 3 Lakh 5G Sites Installed Within 10 Months Of Service Launch: Ashwini Vaishnaw

India’s 5G journey has reached a remarkable milestone, as telecom operators have successfully installed more than 3 Lakh 5G mobile sites within just 10 months of the service’s launch. This significant achievement was announced by Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday, showcasing India’s commitment to technological advancement and digital transformation.

He further noted that the installation of over 3 Lakh 5G sites across 714 districts marks a major leap forward for the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. 

“The world’s fastest 5G rollout continues. Over 3 lakh 5G sites installed in 714 districts,” Vaishnaw shared on Twitter, emphasising the magnitude of this accomplishment.

The arrival of 5G technology holds immense promise for India’s digital landscape, as it is expected to revolutionise various industries, including health care, manufacturing, education, and entertainment. With its ultra-fast data speeds, low latency, and massive device connectivity capabilities, 5G opens up a plethora of opportunities for innovation and economic growth. 

In India the 5G service was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 1st October, 2022. Currently, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are the only operators rolling out 5G services in the country as the debt-laden carrier Vodafone Idea struggles to keep up and is fighting for its survival.

One of the key benefits of 5G technology is its ability to support the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem on a massive scale. With billions of interconnected devices, India can propel its smart city initiatives, enable efficient energy management, and enhance transportation systems, thereby creating a more sustainable and interconnected society.

Speaking on the planned deployment of the 5G sites in December, 2022, Minister Vaishnaw had informed earlier that the telcos have to meet the minimum rollout obligations mentioned in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA). Besides the mandatory rollout obligations, further expansion of the 5G network would be contingent on the techno-commercial considerations of telecom operators. 

The Minister also then informed the parliament that as of 26th Nov, 2022, 5G services had started in 50 towns. And the country’s biggest telecom operator, Jio had completed its 5G deployment in all 33 districts of Gujarat making it the first state to have all its districts covered by 5G.

Further, as per Ericsson Mobility Report, India is projected to reach 690 Mn 5G users by 2028.