5G Now Live Across Almost All Districts in India, Government Prepares for 6G

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : India has successfully rolled out 5G services across all states and union territories, with availability in 99.9 per cent of the country’s districts, the government informed on Thursday.

As of October 31, telecom service providers (TSPs) have installed over 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) across rural and urban areas, according to Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar. He further noted that India has a total of more than 31 lakh BTSs nationwide, highlighting the extensive reach of telecom infrastructure across the country.

To enhance connectivity and reduce call drops, particularly in underserved regions, the government has implemented several initiatives. These include the BharatNet Project, providing broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats and villages; schemes to expand mobile services in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected and Aspirational Districts; and the 4G Saturation Scheme aimed at ensuring 4G coverage in all previously uncovered villages.

Additional measures include the GatiShakti Sanchar Portal and streamlined Right of Way (RoW) Rules to speed up permissions for telecom infrastructure installation, as well as time-bound approvals for the use of street furniture for small cell deployment. These efforts are being carried out jointly by private TSPs and state-led service providers, with infrastructure shared based on techno-commercial feasibility.

In parallel, the government is preparing for the next wave of telecom innovation. Seven dedicated Working Groups, constituted under the Bharat 6G Alliance, have presented their progress and roadmap for 6G development. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized that the alignment of technology, spectrum, devices, applications, and sustainability is crucial for 6G innovations to mature and scale.

He highlighted the importance of monthly joint reviews among the working groups to ensure breakthroughs in one domain translate into actionable outcomes in others. Scindia also stressed that spectrum policy will play a central role in India’s 6G strategy, noting that significant spectrum refarming has already been undertaken, with more planned in the near future.

The comprehensive deployment of 5G and the proactive preparation for 6G reflect India’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and enabling next-generation connectivity, bridging urban-rural gaps, and supporting the country’s technological and economic growth.

Team Maverick