Lok Sabha Question No. 548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Rollout of 5G Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 548 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## ROLLOUT OF 5G NETWORK

## 548. SHRI LAVU SRIKRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any data on the quantum of funds invested for the rollout of 5G network in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  cognizant  of  a  specified  end  date  for  100%  coverage  of  5G network in India;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government has any data on the quantum of funds invested for the rollout of 5G services by BSNL;
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(g) whether  the  Government  is  cognizant  of  the  objectives  of  Phase  1  and  2  of  Bharat  6G Alliance; and

- (h) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The total investment committed in acquisition of 5G spectrum and network rollout is in excess of Rs. 2 lakh crore including a commitment of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore for spectrum acquired through auction in July - August 2022.

(c) & (d) 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.  As  on  24-11-2023,  5G networks have been rolled out in 738 districts across the country and a total of 3,94,298 Base Stations have been installed. India has seen one of the fastest 5G Rollout in the World.

(e) & (f) The revival package in 2019 amounting to Rs. 69,000 cr and the revival package of 2022  amounting  to  1.64  lakhs  crores  was  focused  on  infusing  fresh  capital,  restructuring  debt, viability gap funding for rural telephony etc. Further, in line with Atmanirbhar initiative, BSNL has placed advanced purchase order for 1 Lakh sites for deployment of indigenous 4G technology. The

4G network under procurement in BSNL is upgradable to 5G also. Further, the Union Cabinet on 07.06.2023 approved the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum to BSNL with the total outlay of Rs 89,047 Cr through equity infusion.

(g) & (h) Government has prepared Bharat 6G Vision Document and constituted Bharat 6G Mission and an Apex Council. The Apex Council- Bharat 6G Mission has its objectives, structure and functions and the mission will be completed in two phases. The Phase-1 and Phase-2 are from 2023-25 and 2025-2030 respectively. Further, Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), an alliance of domestic industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organisations has also been set up to facilitate  implementation  of  Bharat  6G  Vision.  Moreover,  B6GA  has  signed  Memorandum  of Understanding with NextG Alliance of USA to explore collaboration opportunities on 6G wireless technologies.

Further, Government is funding the 6G: THz Test bed with Orbital Angular Momentum and Multiplexing. This project will facilitate understanding of higher millimetre wave, sub Terahertz deployment  scenarios  and  research  in  Optical  Angular  Momentum(OAM),  which  are  the  main enabling technologies to implement 6G technologies.

Subsequently, 'Ubiquitous connectivity" is a usage scenario proposed by India for inclusion in 6G framework and is now part of International Telecommunication Union 6G framework.  This usage scenario will enhance connectivity with the aim to bridge the digital divide.

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