Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Communications addresses Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 149 regarding the upgrade of 4G networks to 5G in Maharashtra, answered on July 30, 2025. It details measures taken by the Government through BSNL, the deployment of mobile towers, and the status of 4G to 5G network conversion. The answer includes district-wise data on the deployment of 4G and 5G mobile BTS by various Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in Maharashtra.
Key Points / Main Content:
BSNL Network Upgrade:
* The Government has approved Rs. 19,592 Crore for one lakh indigenously developed 4G Network sites to be deployed by BSNL across the country under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
* The 4G Network being deployed is technologically upward compatible to 5G.
* Installation and commissioning of 4G Network are ongoing across all BSNL circles, including Delhi and Mumbai.
* MTNL is not involved in the deployment of 4G/5G networks.
Mobile Tower Deployment in Maharashtra:
* Annexure I provides a district-wise breakup of 4G and 5G mobile BTS deployed by various TSPs in Maharashtra.
* The data includes Airtel, Jio, VI, and BSNL.
* The annexure lists the number of 4G and 5G BTS for each district.
Impact Analysis:
Government:
* Impact: Responsible for funding and overseeing the upgrade of 4G networks to 5G through BSNL.
* Action Required: Continue to support and monitor the deployment of the 4G network and its upgradeability to 5G.
BSNL:
* Impact: Tasked with deploying the indigenously developed 4G network, which is 5G compatible, across the country.
* Action Required: Continue installation and commissioning of 4G network sites and plan for the future upgrade to 5G.
Telecom Service Providers (Airtel, Jio, VI):
* Impact: Involved in deploying 4G and 5G mobile BTS across various districts in Maharashtra.
* Action Required: Continue deploying and upgrading mobile towers in Maharashtra as per their respective plans.
Citizens of Maharashtra:
* Impact: Will benefit from improved mobile network connectivity with the deployment of 4G and 5G networks.
* Action Required: No specific action required; will experience enhanced services as the network upgrades are implemented.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for telecommunications and postal services.
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question was raised.
Maharashtra: A state in India, specifically mentioned as the region of focus for 4G and 5G network upgrades.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited: A government-owned telecommunications service provider in India (BSNL).
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited: A government-owned telecommunications service provider in India (MTNL).
4G Network: Fourth generation of mobile telecommunications technology.
5G Network: Fifth generation of mobile telecommunications technology.
Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra: A city in Maharashtra where 5G network upgrades are under process.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Government of India initiative for self-reliance.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 149
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
4G AND 5G NETWORK IN MAHARASHTRA
†*149. DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the measures taken by the Government through Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to upgrade 4G network to 5G network
across the Country;
(b) the details of the number of mobile towers upgraded in Maharashtra so far along with the
details thereof and the time by which the remaining towers are likely to be converted to 5G network;
(c) whether the work to increase the number of mobile towers and convert the old towers to 5G
network is under process in Sambhaji Nagar and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the details of the total number of proposals received by the Government to convert 4G
network towers to 5G network towers during the last three years and the time by which the said work
is likely to be completed; and
(e) whether the Government has formulated any concrete policy in this regard and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN
REGION
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
1STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS
(a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.149 FOR 30TH JULY, 2025
REGARDING “4G AND 5G NETWORK IN MAHARASHTRA.”
(a) The Government under Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative has approved a total amount of Rs.
19,592 Crore for one lakh sites of indegenously developed 4G Network to be deployed by BSNL
across the country. The indigenously developed 4G Network is 5G Network upward compatible
from technology perspective. As of now, installation & commissioning of 4G Network across the
country is being carried out in all the circles of BSNL including Delhi & Mumbai. MTNL is not
tasked with deployment of 4G/5G Network.
(b) to (e) The break up of 4G and 5G mobile BTS, district-wise in Maharashtra, deployed
by various TSPs is attached as Annexure-I.
2Annexure-I of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 149 for 30.07.2025
AIRTEL JIO RJIO VI VI BSNL MTNL Total
S.NO. District
4G 5G 4G 5G 4G 5G 4G 4G BTS
1 Ahmednagar 1926 250 3828 1676 1187 0 0 0 8867
2 Akola 637 101 1365 442 202 0 110 0 2857
3 Amravati 1117 180 2290 634 544 0 0 0 4765
4 Beed 945 84 2057 770 517 0 201 0 4574
5 Bhandara 324 37 860 308 242 0 76 0 1847
6 Buldhana 898 114 1812 532 543 0 345 0 4244
7 Chandrapur 381 58 1647 470 410 0 0 0 2966
Chhatrapati
8236
8 Sambhajinagar 2111 385 3318 1177 1043 2 200 0
9 Dharashiv 543 56 1447 516 335 0 106 0 3003
10 Dhule 651 65 1617 504 347 0 1 0 3185
11 Gadchiroli 400 5 618 134 80 0 105 0 1342
12 Gondia 330 12 898 298 249 0 78 0 1865
13 Hingoli 177 33 958 242 196 0 16 0 1622
14 Jalgaon 1499 231 3166 1068 702 0 204 0 6870
15 Jalna 722 100 1488 512 443 0 172 0 3437
16 Kolhapur 1942 385 2805 1188 927 0 20 0 7267
17 Latur 978 167 1760 618 504 0 143 0 4170
18 Mumbai 4370 946 3054 1122 5383 725 0 0 15600
Mumbai
21551
19 Suburban 4180 1030 8041 3103 4464 733 0 0
20 Nagpur 2549 516 4823 1726 1698 2 180 0 11494
21 Nanded 1124 171 2278 602 639 0 80 0 4894
22 Nandurbar 367 19 1077 370 191 0 0 0 2024
23 Nashik 2686 504 4741 1864 1663 1 118 0 11577
24 Palghar 1275 418 1902 850 944 0 0 0 5389
25 Parbhani 703 109 1209 348 365 0 58 0 2792
26 Pune 8706 2287 11872 4905 6702 35 104 0 34611
27 Raigad 2367 543 7255 3161 4477 195 7 0 18005
28 Ratnagiri 406 64 1215 378 322 0 1 0 2386
29 Sangli 1318 277 2412 968 551 0 11 0 5537
30 Satara 1486 317 2331 937 738 0 6 0 5815
31 Sindhudurg 142 27 541 222 158 0 0 0 1090
32 Solapur 1858 324 3608 1476 987 0 44 0 8297
33 Thane 7750 1835 5684 2384 1748 0 0 0 19401
34 Wardha 418 59 1207 300 297 0 0 0 2281
35 Washim 176 23 938 274 253 0 44 0 1708
36 Yavatmal 722 58 2224 506 523 0 119 0 4152
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