**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 44, answered on December 3rd, 2025, regarding base transceiver stations in Tamil Nadu. It confirms the installation of 37,187 5G BTSs in Tamil Nadu and the launch of 5G services across all districts. A statement outlining the district-wise count of 5G BTSs in Tamil Nadu is laid on the Table of the House.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **5G Deployment Status:**
* As of 31.10.2025, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have installed 37,187 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in Tamil Nadu.
* 5G services have been launched by Telecom Service Providers in all districts of Tamil Nadu.
* **District-wise BTS Count:**
* 5G BTSs have been installed in 224 and 231 villages in Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts respectively.
* Refer to Annexure-I for the district-wise count of 5G BTSs in Tamil Nadu.
* **Government Initiatives for 5G Improvement:**
* The Government has taken several technical and financial initiatives to improve 5G connectivity and digital communication infrastructure. These initiatives include:
* 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 auction of 2022 and thereafter.
* Simplification of procedure for SACFA clearance.
* Launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW 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 line.
* 4G Saturation scheme to provide 4G mobile coverage in uncovered villages.
* **Start-up and Digital Inclusion:**
* One 5G Test Bed has been established at IIT Madras.
* Seven 5G Use Case Labs have been established at different Higher Educational Institutions in Tamil Nadu: National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, Vellore Institute of Technology, College of Engineering Guindy (Chennai), SASTRA Deemed University (Thanjavur), Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (Chennai), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (Chennai), and SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Chengalpattu district).
* Chennai, Vellore and Chengalpattu districts are near or adjacent to Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts.
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
**Impact**
TSPs have successfully deployed 5G services across Tamil Nadu, requiring ongoing maintenance and network optimisation.
**Action Required**
TSPs should continue to expand 5G coverage, improve network performance, and leverage the available resources and support from government initiatives.
**Tamil Nadu Citizens and Businesses**
**Impact**
Improved 5G connectivity will enhance digital services and access to online resources in rural and underserved areas of Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts.
**Action Required**
Citizens and businesses should leverage the improved 5G connectivity to enhance digital skills, promote start-ups, and foster digital inclusion.
Key Entities Referenced
5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs): The subject of the question and answer, concerning the installation and use of 5G BTSs in Tamil Nadu.
Ministry of Communications: The primary government body responsible for matters related to communications, as indicated by the Minister answering the question.
Tamil Nadu: The state where the 5G BTSs are installed and services are launched.
Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts: Specific districts mentioned as examples for details of 5G infrastructure and initiatives.
Lok Sabha: The Parliament of India where the question was asked and the statement was laid.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 44
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
BASE TRANSCEIVER STATIONS
*44. SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
SHRI SELVAM G:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have installed
35,655 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in Tamil Nadu and launched 5G services across all
districts and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the district-wise details of 5G BTSs installed, particularly in Tiruvannamalai and
Kanchipuram districts along with the number of villages covered under 5G network in each of these
districts;
(c) whether the Government proposes to extend additional financial or technical assistance to
improve 5G connectivity and digital infrastructure in rural and underserved areas of these districts;
(d) the details of 5G Use Case Labs and Test Beds established in Tamil Nadu; and
(e) whether the Government has any plans to establish such innovation and research facilities in
or near the Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts to promote start-ups and digital inclusion 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.44 FOR 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
REGARDING “BASE TRANSCEIVER STATIONS.”
(a) As on 31.10.2025, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have installed 37,187 5G Base
Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in Tamil Nadu. Further, 5G services have been launched by Telecom
Service Providers in all districts of Tamil Nadu.
(b) As per information provided by TSPs, the district-wise count of 5G BTSs in Tamil Nadu,
including Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts, is placed at Annexure-I. Further 5G BTSs have
been installed in 224 and 231 villages in Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts respectively.
(c) Yes, the Government has taken several technical and financial initiatives to improve 5G
connectivity and digital communication infrastructure across the country, including rural and
underserved areas in Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts. These initiatives, 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. 4G Saturation scheme to provide 4G mobile coverage in uncovered villages.
(d) & (e) To promote start-ups and digital inclusion, one 5G Test Bed has been established at
IIT Madras and seven 5G Use Case Labs have been established at different Higher Educational
Institutions in Tamil Nadu. These seven institutions are National Institute of Technology
Tiruchirappalli, Vellore Institute of Technology, College of Engineering Guindy (Chennai),
SASTRA Deemed University (Thanjavur), Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering
(Chennai), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (Chennai), and SRM Institute of
Science and Technology (Chengalpattu district). It is to mention that Chennai, Vellore and
Chengalpattu districts are near or adjacent to Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts.
2Annexure-I
Annexure to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 44 to be answered on 03.12.2025.
District-wise count of 5G BTSs in Tamil Nadu:
Sr. No. Districts Count of 5G BTSs
1 Ariyalur 127
2 Chengalpattu 2,251
3 Chennai 4,679
4 Coimbatore 3,169
5 Cuddalore 984
6 Dharmapuri 605
7 Dindigul 827
8 Erode 1,279
9 Kallakurichi 319
10 Kanchipuram 904
11 Kanniyakumari 786
12 Karur 464
13 Krishnagiri 1,195
14 Madurai 1,563
15 Mayiladuthurai 108
16 Nagapattinam 334
17 Namakkal 788
18 Perambalur 170
19 Pudukkottai 447
20 Ramanathapuram 443
21 Ranipet 492
22 Salem 1,863
23 Sivaganga 432
24 Tenkasi 457
25 Thanjavur 874
26 The Nilgiris 282
27 Theni 481
28 Thiruvallur 2,475
29 Thiruvarur 341
30 Thoothukkudi 735
31 Tiruchirappalli 1,241
32 Tirunelveli 830
33 Tirupathur 523
34 Tiruppur 1,787
35 Tiruvannamalai 675
36 Vellore 873
37 Viluppuram 601
38 Virudhunagar 783
Total 37,187
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