Lok Sabha Question No. 1440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Rollout of 5G Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal, Adv. Adoor Prakash, Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1440 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## ROLLOUT OF 5G NETWORK

## †1440.  SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL: ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of 5G network rollout across India with State-wise number of cities and districts covered as of November 2024 along with names of districts and cities covered in the country particularly in Rajasthan;
- (b) measures taken to bridge the digital divide in underprivileged and rural areas specially to address disparities in 5G access;
- (c) the initiatives taken by the Government to ensure access of socio-economic sectors to 5G services;
- (d) initiatives implemented to ensure 5G connectivity in coastal hamlets;
- (e) the Government's existing strategies to monitor the impact of innovation and 5G deployment on economic growth, digital literacy and technology in Barmer parliamentary constituency;
- (f) the  number of villages of Barmer parliamentary constituency connected with 4G and 5G network in the last five years and the number of villages yet to be connected; and
- (g) whether the Government proposes to connect rest of the village with 4G and 5G network, if so, the time by which these are likely to be connected?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- (a) 5G services have been launched in all the districts of the State of Rajasthan. Further, 5G networks have been rolled out in all States/ UTs across the country and presently 5G services are available in 779 districts out of 783 districts in the country. As on 31 st  Oct 2024, more than 4.6 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed in the country, including 27,508 BTSs in Rajasthan.
- (b) to (e) Government has taken several initiatives for proliferation of 5G services, which, inter alia, include the following:

- i. Assignment of sufficient spectrum for mobile services through auction.
- ii. Series of financial reforms resulting in rationalization of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs), interest rates and penalties.
- iii. Spectrum sharing, trading and surrender has been permitted for efficient use of spectrum.
- iv. Simplification  of  Procedure  for  SACFA  (Standing  Advisory  Committee  on  Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance.
- v. Notification of Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules and launch of PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal has resulted in streamlining of RoW permissions and expeditious clearance for installation of telecom infrastructure.
- vi. Provision has been made in RoW Rules for time-bound permission for usage of street furniture for installation of small cells and telecommunication line.

These measures along with the ongoing projects by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) are expected to further narrow the digital connectivity gap.

Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  have  expanded  the  5G  services  across  the  country including in coastal areas and have gone beyond the minimum rollout obligations, as prescribed in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) for spectrum auction. Expansion of mobile services beyond these obligations depends on the techno-commercial consideration of the TSPs.

With the availability of 4G and 5G network, there has been increased adoption of online banking services, e-commerce, online education as well as online government services among the users. Further, to foster innovation across various socioeconomic sectors, 5G labs are being set up at 100 Institutions across India. This will further help in developing competencies for new telecom technologies and will engage startups and academia to develop use cases for national and global requirements. Among these, four 5G labs have been established in Rajasthan, at Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur and MBM University Jodhpur.

(f) & (g) As on 31 st  Oct 2024, total 3285 villages of Barmer Parliamentary constituency have already been covered with 4G technology.

Government  of  India  has  undertaken  '4G  Saturation  Project'  which  aims  to  provide  4G mobile services to all uncovered villages in the country. With a financial outlay of Rs 26,316 crore, 24,680 number of such villages will be covered. Under this project, in the Barmer Parliamentary constituency, 214 villages have been identified for 4G coverage. Further, Telecom Service Providers are also continuously expanding their mobile networks.

*****