Lok Sabha Question No. 6150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: 6G Technology
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 ST  APRIL, 2026

## 6G TECHNOLOGY

## 6150.   SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the  measures  undertaken  by  the  Government  leading  contributor  in  the  development, standardization and manufacturing of 6G technology by year, 2030 including research support and industry partnerships;

(b) the  initiatives  taken  to  ensure  the  expansion  and  timely  deployment  of  5G  network infrastructure particularly in underserved regions and whether Akola district in Maharashtra has been covered under such initiatives;

(c) the current status of 5G cell tower deployment and fiberization, district and specifically the details for Akola district;

(d) the progress made so far in mapping telecom infrastructure assets on the PM Gati ShaktiNational Master Plan (NMP) platform, including the extent of coverage achieved in Akola district; and

(e) the latest details of districts or areas where 3G and 4G services are still not available along with reasons and timelines and whether any such gaps exist in Akola district, Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The Government has released the Bharat 6G Vision Document, which outlines the roadmap for research, development, and deployment of 6G in India. The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of DoT supports indigenous telecom R&D. As on February 2026, 104 projects amounting Rs. 271 Crore has been approved for research and development of 6G technology. These initiatives  provide financial  and institutional  support  for  research,  testbeds,  innovation,  domestic manufacturing and commercialization of emerging telecom technologies including 6G. India is also actively participating in international standard-setting bodies such as International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

(b) & (c) The  Government  has undertaken  several  measures  to facilitate  the  expansion  and timely  deployment  of  5G  network  infrastructure  across  the  country,  including  in  underserved regions, such as assignment of adequate spectrum through auctions, notification of Right of Way (RoW) Rules, launch of the PM GatiShakti Sanchar Portal, and policy reforms relating to RoW facilitation, spectrum management, infrastructure protection and simplification of wireless licensing, which have accelerated network expansion and improved service delivery.

5G services  have  been rolled  out  in  all  States/  UTs  across  the  country  and  presently  5G services are available in 99.9% of districts in the country. As on 28th February 2026, 5.23 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed in the country, whereas in Maharashtra State, a total of 3,39,849 BTSs (2G/3G/4G/5G) have been installed, out of which 4,262 BTSs(2G/3G/4G/5G) have been installed in Akola district.

(d) Under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) platform, various telecom assets such as approximately  13.5  lakh  route  kilometers  of  Optical  Fibre  Cable  (OFC)  from  Public  Sector Undertakings (PSUs), around 8.46 lakh telecom towers with 31.31 lakh Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) and 4.09 lakh PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) Wi-Fi hotspots, have been mapped with GIS (Geographic Information System) details on the NMP platform.

(e) As on 28.02.2026, a total of 11,515 villages in the country remain uncovered with respect to 3G/4G mobile connectivity. Whereas, in Akola district of Maharashtra, out of a total of 972 villages, 958 villages have been provided with mobile connectivity, while 14 villages remain uncovered where neither 3G nor 4G connectivity exist (List of Villages having neither 3G nor 4G connectivity as on 28.02.2026 is attached at Annexure-1 ).

These  gaps  stem  from  difficult  terrain,  low  commercial  viability,  and  infrastructure constraints. Ongoing Digital Bharat Nidhi-funded schemes-such as the 4G saturation project for uncovered villages and connectivity projects in remote, border, and Left Wing Extremism affected areas-address them.

Annexure-1

|   S. No. | State       | District   | Block/ Tehsil   | Village Name (as per RGI)   |
|----------|-------------|------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Telhara         | Nagartas (N.V.)             |
|        2 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Telhara         | Barukheda (N.V.)            |
|        3 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Telhara         | Moypani                     |
|        4 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Telhara         | Umarshevadi                 |
|        5 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Akot            | Khirkund Kh.                |
|        6 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Akot            | Khirkund Bk.                |
|        7 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Akola           | Kaulkhed                    |
|        8 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Akola           | Bahadarpur                  |
|        9 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Akola           | Jawala Bk.                  |
|       10 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Akola           | Nandapur                    |
|       11 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Murtijapur      | Pimpal Shenda               |
|       12 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Murtijapur      | Dhanora Patekar             |
|       13 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Barshitakli     | Davdari                     |
|       14 | Maharashtra | Akola      | Barshitakli     | Dhotarkhed                  |

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