India expands 5G coverage nationwide
Telecom operators prepare for AI-centred demands as India’s 5G footprint reaches almost full district-level coverage, supported by extensive infrastructure sharing.
The 5G footprint of India has expanded across all states and union territories, with services now reaching 99.9% of districts.
Telecom service providers have installed more than 5 lakh 5G base stations, contributing to a broader network of over 31 lakh sites nationwide. The government has emphasised the importance of reliable coverage in both rural and urban regions.
Efforts to strengthen connectivity in underserved areas continue through BharatNet, new mobile services in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected regions, support for Aspirational Districts and the 4G Saturation Scheme, which aims to bring coverage to every uncovered village.
Streamlined Right of Way rules and faster approval for using street furniture have created an environment where operators can deploy small cells more efficiently, rather than facing long administrative delays.
As 5G coverage expands nationwide, operators are preparing for a future driven by AI workloads rather than traditional network demands. Private and state providers are both expanding infrastructure, often sharing facilities when it is technically and commercially viable.
The government of India has emphasised that coordinated planning will be crucial for managing the increasing digital traffic.
Seven working groups under the Bharat 6G Alliance have outlined progress on India’s next-generation roadmap. The communications minister has emphasised that spectrum policy, device readiness, applications and sustainability need to align so innovation can mature.
Monthly joint reviews will be conducted to ensure that breakthroughs in one domain can lead to practical outcomes in other areas, supporting India’s long-term 6G strategy.
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