**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 488, answered on December 3, 2025, regarding the deployment of 5G in rural areas of India. The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development confirms the government's permission and details various initiatives to support 5G proliferation, including infrastructure development and financial reforms. As of October 31, 2025, 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **5G Deployment Status:**
* 5G networks have been rolled out across all States/UTs by Telecom Service Providers.
* 5G services are available in 99.9% of districts in the country.
* 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed as of October 31, 2025.
* BTSs support faster internet for applications such as precision agriculture, remote education, and telemedicine.
* **Government Initiatives for 5G Proliferation:**
* Auction of spectrum for 5G mobile services in 2022.
* Financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs), and interest rates.
* Removal of Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired in the 2022 auction and thereafter.
* Simplification of procedure for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance.
* Launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW (Right of Way) Rules to streamline RoW permissions and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure.
* Time-bound permission for use of street furniture for installation of small cells and telecommunication lines.
* Establishment of 100 5G labs at academic institutions to develop socioeconomic 5G use cases and build capacity for a 6G-ready ecosystem.
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Service Providers**
* **Impact:** Expanded network deployment across the country, including rural areas, with increasing availability of 5G services.
* **Action Required:** Continue to roll out and optimize 5G networks to achieve full coverage, leveraging government initiatives for infrastructure and regulatory support.
**Citizens in Rural Areas**
* **Impact:** Access to faster internet services, enabling applications like precision agriculture, remote education, and telemedicine.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the improved connectivity for various socioeconomic benefits and participate in the development of new 5G use cases.
**Academic Institutions**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to establish 5G labs and contribute to the development of socioeconomic 5G use cases.
* **Action Required:** Establish and operate 5G labs, conduct research, and build capacity to support a 6G-ready ecosystem.
**Government**
* **Impact:** The Ministry of Communications is responsible for fulfilling 5G deployment and expansion goals across the country.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor the rollout of 5G services, address any challenges, and foster innovation.
Key Entities Referenced
5G Deployment: Deployment of 5G technology in rural areas, with a focus on faster internet for applications like precision agriculture, remote education, and telemedicine.
GatiShakti Sanchar portal: Portal launched to streamline RoW (Right of Way) permissions and clearance for telecom infrastructure installation.
RoW (Right of Way) Rules: Rules to streamline RoW permissions and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure.
SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations): Committee involved in the procedure for obtaining clearance of radio frequency allocations.
Department of Telecommunications: Government department responsible for addressing the question about 5G deployment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 488
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
5G DEPLOYMENT IN RURAL AREAS
488. SHRI ADHIKARI SOUMENDU:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Government has granted permission for 5G deployment in rural India
with 5G technology and phased rollout strategies, aiming to provide faster internet for applications
like precision agriculture, remote education and telemedicine; and
(b) if so, the details of technological support and plan, which will help the entire country with
economic and socio benefits through phased approach for transforming India into new heights
therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) 5G networks have been rolled out by Telecom Service Providers in all States/ UTs across the
country and presently 5G services are available in 99.9% of districts in the country. As on 31st Oct
2025, 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have already been installed in the country and
these BTSs also support provision of the faster internet for applications like precision agriculture,
remote education and telemedicine etc.
(b) Government has taken several initiatives for proliferation of 5G services, which, inter alia,
include the following:
i. Auction of spectrum for 5G mobile services in 2022.
ii. Financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees
(BGs) and interest rates.
iii. Removal of Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired in auction of 2022 and
thereafter.
iv. Simplification of procedure for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio
Frequency Allocations) clearance.
v. Launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW (Right of Way) Rules to streamline
RoW permissions and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure.
vi. Time-bound permission for use of street furniture for installation of small cells and
telecommunication line.
vii. Established 100 5G labs at academic institutions across India for development of
various socioeconomic 5G use cases and capacity building for building a 6G ready
academic and start- up ecosystem in the country.
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