As of November 26, 50 towns spread across 14 states and union territories have begun using fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications services, the Parliament was informed on Friday.
Devusinh Chauhan, the Minister of State for Communications, stated in a written reply submitted to the Rajya Sabha that telecom providers began offering 5G services in the nation on October 1, 2022.
Telecom service providers (TSPs) began offering 5G services in the nation on October 1, 2022, and as of November 26, 2022, 5G services were available in 50 locations spread over 14 States and Union Territories, according to Chauhan.
The minister was replying to a query on the numerous issues with 5G services and the inadequate network.
Further, he stated that the minimum rollout commitments are expected to be fulfilled over a period of five years in a staggered manner from the date of spectrum allocation, in accordance with the bid document for the auction of access spectrum and licencing conditions.
In order to support a quicker and more seamless rollout of telecom networks (including 5G) and the extension of the nation's telecommunications infrastructure, the government has adopted a number of regulatory initiatives. These include, among other things, permitting spectrum sharing and trade while also making enough spectrum accessible for mobile services through auction.
In response to a different query, Chauhan stated that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) issued a tender in October 2022 for the need of one lakh 4G stations.
The Proof of Concept (PoC) has been finished with only a few outstanding issues, and the 5G Non Standalone Access (NSA) upgrade has also been kept as a deferred feature in BSNL's EOI, according to Chauhan. "BSNL floated the Expression of Interest (EOI) on January 1, 2021 for the Proof of Concept (PoC)," Chauhan said.
Additionally, he added, the government has set aside spectrum for BSNL to use in the delivery of 5G services.
The minister was responding to a question on the myriad problems with 5G services and the shoddy network.
In addition, he said that in line with the bid document for the auction of access spectrum and licencing requirements, the minimum rollout obligations are expected to be met over a period of five years in a staggered manner from the date of spectrum allocation.
The government has implemented a number of regulatory steps to facilitate a speedier and more seamless rollout of telecom networks (including 5G) and the expansion of the country's telecommunications infrastructure. They allows spectrum trading and sharing while also opening up adequate spectrum for mobile services through auction, among other things.
Furthermore, the state-owned telecom "is projected to turn-around and become a profit-making firm" with the implementation of the Rs. 1.64 lakh crore resuscitation package for BSNL, agreed earlier this year.
