Parliament Question: 5G rollout and rural Connectivity

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1515 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026 5G ROLLOUT AND RURAL CONNECTIVITY 1515 SHRI A. D. SINGH: Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state: (a) the current status of 5G rollout in the country, particularly in rural and remote areas; (b) the number of districts and villages covered so far under 5G network; and (c) the steps being taken to ensure affordable access to high-speed internet and mobile services for rural citizens? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) & (b) 5G services have been rolled out in all States/ UTs across the country and presently it is available in 99.9% of the districts in the country. As on 31.12.2025, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have installed 5.18 Lakhs 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) across the country. Further, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have installed 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in 1.12 Lakh villages across the country by 31.12.2025. (c) To ensure affordable access to high-speed internet and mobile services for rural citizens , Government has taken several steps, which, inter-alia, include the following: i. BharatNet project for providing broadband connectivity in Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages. ii. Scheme for providing mobile services in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas and in Aspirational Districts. iii. 4G Saturation scheme to provide 4G mobile coverage in all uncovered villages. iv. Launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW(Right of Way) Rules to streamline RoW permissions and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure. ***** 1