In a major milestone for India’s digital infrastructure, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced that the number of 5G base transceiver stations (BTS) across the country has surged past 450,000 by the end of July, just 22 months after the launch of 5G services in October 2022. These BTS units, the backbone of mobile networks, are typically installed on existing towers and are vital for seamless connectivity. With a national target of 500,000 BTS, the rollout is set to continue, expanding India’s 5G footprint.
However, the pace of deployment has seen some fluctuations. July recorded a modest 3,346 new installations, a stark contrast to the 9,733 BTS added in March. Industry giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, after completing the bulk of their infrastructure setup, are now focusing on network consolidation. While 5G signals have reached every state and union territory, coverage still eludes approximately 38 of India’s 788 districts. Jio has rolled out 5G services in over 7,764 cities, while Airtel reported covering 5,000 towns as of last October. The government proudly notes that 5G is now operational in more than 8,000 cities nationwide, marking a significant leap in the country’s digital journey.
