New Delhi: The government announced that 100 5G labs now operate in academic institutions across India. These labs aim to strengthen digital capacity building and support new-age applications. They also help develop socioeconomic 5G use cases and prepare a 6G-ready academic and start-up ecosystem.
Officials said recent telecom reforms have enabled a rapid expansion of 5G networks. Telecom Service Providers have rolled out 5G services in every State and Union Territory. As a result, availability now covers 99.9% of districts. By 31 October 2025, operators had installed 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations to provide high-speed connectivity for precision agriculture, remote learning, telemedicine, and other sectors.
Government says 5G labs complement reforms and infrastructure expansion
The government noted that the 5G lab network builds on earlier steps to boost telecom infrastructure. These steps include the 2022 spectrum auction for 5G services and financial reforms that rationalised AGR, bank guarantees, and interest rates. Authorities also withdrew Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired from 2022 onward.
They added that the government simplified SACFA clearance procedures to speed up tower installation. Moreover, the GatiShakti Sanchar portal and updated Right of Way Rules now streamline permissions for telecom work. Time-bound approvals for using street furniture allow operators to deploy small cells and new lines quickly, which supports denser coverage.
The government concluded that these measures strengthen India’s digital transformation push. They enhance infrastructure, speed up connectivity rollouts, and expand the innovation ecosystem shaping the country’s 5G landscape.
