New Delhi: The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, informed the Rajya Sabha that the 5G rollout has now reached every State and Union Territory. He stated that 5G services are presently available in 99.9% of districts, marking one of the fastest nationwide deployments of advanced telecom technology. As of 31 October 2025, Telecom Service Providers have installed 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) across rural and urban regions.
Government initiatives accelerating 5G rollout and connectivity upgrades
Dr. Sekhar explained that the government has been working on several parallel initiatives aimed at resolving call drops and strengthening internet access in underserved locations. These include the BharatNet project that expands broadband coverage in Gram Panchayats and villages, schemes supporting mobile services in Left Wing Extremism-affected regions and Aspirational Districts, and the 4G Saturation scheme designed to cover all remaining uncovered villages.
The minister also highlighted measures such as the GatiShakti Sanchar portal and updated Right of Way Rules, both created to streamline permissions for telecom infrastructure. Time-bound approval for the use of street furniture for installing small cells and telecommunication lines is further contributing to faster deployment.
He added that more than 31 lakh Base Transceiver Stations have been installed across the country by private and State-led providers. Sharing of infrastructure, based on techno-commercial feasibility, continues to support the expanding national network ecosystem. The developments reflect a broad effort to enhance service availability and ensure dependable connectivity for citizens.
