The Union Government announced a significant milestone in the country's digital infrastructure, revealing that over five lakh (500,000) 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) have been installed nationwide to date. The information was provided by the Minister of Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
This massive rollout underscores the rapid pace of 5G deployment since its launch in October 2022, placing India among the world's fastest-growing 5G ecosystems. The enhanced network is expected to fuel innovation in sectors like telemedicine, education, agriculture, and Industry 4.0.
Alongside the 5G expansion, the Minister highlighted substantial progress in bridging the digital divide through the BharatNet project. The flagship initiative, aimed at providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (village councils), has seen robust advancement.
As of October this year:
2.14 lakh Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready for broadband connectivity.
13.66 lakh Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections have been provided across the country under the project.
Minister Scindia emphasized that BharatNet is playing a crucial role in providing broadband connectivity not just in rural areas but also in border regions and areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), ensuring equitable digital access.
The Minister further stated that the government is leveraging the Digital Bharat Nidhi—the revamped Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)—to finance initiatives aimed at connecting remote and underserved regions. A number of steps have been taken using this fund to subsidise the cost of infrastructure deployment in commercially unviable areas, ensuring that connectivity becomes a right, not a privilege.
The dual focus on cutting-edge 5G networks and foundational rural broadband reflects the government's strategy for a comprehensive digital transformation. While 5G promises to revolutionise urban and industrial applications, the expansion of BharatNet forms the bedrock for inclusive growth, enabling e-governance, tele-education, and digital entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
The continued investment in these twin pillars of digital infrastructure is poised to be a key driver in achieving the vision of a "Digital India" where connectivity empowers every citizen.
Leave Your Comment