Nationwide 5G radio count crosses the 450,000 marks, shows DoT data

According to data from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the number of 5G base transceiver stations (BTS) installed nationwide has surpassed 450,000 as of the end of July, 22 months after the launch of 5G services in October 2022. A BTS, a fixed radio transceiver often installed on existing tower infrastructure, is critical for mobile network operations. The target for nationwide 5G coverage is 500,000 BTS, which is expected to increase as deployment continues.

The pace of BTS deployment has varied, with a notable decline in recent months; July saw 3,346 new installations compared to a peak of 9,733 in March. Both major telecom operators, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, are now focusing on consolidation after completing most of their tower installations. While 5G signals cover all states and union territories, they have yet to reach approximately 38 of India's 788 districts. Jio has rolled out 5G in over 7,764 cities, while Airtel reported coverage in 5,000 towns as of October last year. The government has confirmed that 5G is operational in over 8,000 cities nationwide.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.