5G mobile services will roll out in 2022-2023 in India. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed the news at the Union Budget 2022 held today. India will conduct 5G spectrum auctions to facilitate the rollout of the next-generation network.
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Smartphone OEMs are already launching 5G compatible devices in India across various price points. Major telecom operators including Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Reliance Jio have been working on the development of 5G connectivity in the country for some time now.
5G services to roll out in India next year
5G services will be rolled out commercially next year
The spectrum auction for 5G rollout will give telecom operators the license to offer the next-generation communication network services to the masses. All three major operators i.e. Vi, Airtel and Jio have already set up trial sites in certain Indian cities. “A scheme for design-led manufacturing will be launched to build a strong ecosystem for 5G as part of the production-linked incentive scheme,” FM Sitharaman said in a statement at the Union Budget 2022.
Apart from 5G, Sitharaman also talked about internet services in rural areas. Rural areas in the country will get the optical fibre network via a multitude of contracts under the BharatNet project in 2022 and 2023. Sitharaman also added that government will announce reform measures to facilitate the proliferation and penetration of broadband and telecom connectivity in India that will be a major push for Digital India. Both the communications sector and 5G will also help create growth and job opportunities.
5G connectivity will offer higher speeds, low latency, and more reliability compared to the previous generation networks. In the past, India has faced multiple roadblocks with 5G rollout but now the roadmap seems to be set.