Lok Sabha Question No. 2395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: 5G Internet Facility
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Chirag Paswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  DECEMBER, 2022

## 5G INTERNET FACILITY

## †2395.   SHRI CHIRAG KUMAR PASWAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONSbe pleased to state:

- (a) the time by which the 5G internet facility will be started in the rest of the cities and villages after its launch in thirteen cities of the country;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  solve  the  problem  of  mobile  connectivity  as  the benefits of already existing 4G network are not available in many parts of the country;
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  safety  of  towers  installed  in  entire  Bihar including Jamui as there are frequent complaints of theft of batteries and other items used to run the tower;
- (d) whether the Government has issued any instructions to BSNL and other service providers to improve their networks in view of network problems being faced in the State including Jamui; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have started providing 5G services in the country from 01.10.2022 onwards and as of 26.11.2022, 5G services have started in 50 towns distributed over 14 States/UTs.

As per the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) dated 15-06-2022 for auction of spectrum and the license conditions, the rollout obligations are required to be met over a period of five years, in a phased manner, from the date of allocation of spectrum. Further expansion of mobile networks beyond the mandatory rollout obligations, depends on the techno-commercial consideration of the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).

- (b) The Union Cabinet on 27.07.2022 approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the country at a total cost of        Rs. 26,316 Crore.  The project aims to  provide 4G mobile services in 24,680 uncovered villages in remote and  difficult areas. The project  has  a  provision  to  include  20%  additional  villages  on  account  of  rehabilitation,  newsettlements, withdrawal of services by existing operators etc.  In addition, 6,279 villages having only 2G/3G connectivity are planned to be upgraded to 4G. The project is being executed by BSNL

using  Atmanirbhar  Bharat's  4G  technology  stack  and  is  funded  through  Universal  Service Obligation Fund.

(c) Law and order is a State subject. As per Section 25 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885:'If any person, intending -

- (i) to prevent or obstruct the transmission or delivery of any message, or
- (ii) to intercept or to acquaint himself with the contents of any message, or
- (iii) to commit mischief,

damages, removes, tampers with or touches any battery, machinery, telegraph line, post or other thing whatever, being part of or used in or about any telegraph or in the working thereof, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine or with both.'

(d) and (e)     Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has laid down the Quality of Service (QoS)  standards  for  Basic  Telephone  Service  (Wireline),  Cellular  Mobile  Telephone  Service, Broadband Service and Wireless Data Services. Cases where these requisite QoS Standards are not met by the TSPs including BSNL, Show Cause Notices (SCNs) are issued and, if required, financial disincentives are imposed by TRAI.

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