BSNL planning transition to 5G technology by June 2025: minister

State-run telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is planning a quick transition to 5G technology by June 2025, just a month after its planned completion of 4G roll-out across the country.

Outlining the government’s telecom technology roll-out plan, union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said BSNL wiil be completing its rollout of indigenously developed 4G technology through 100,000 base stations by May 2025. 

Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, in New Delhi, on Monday, Scindia said India followed the world in 4G, marched with the world in 5G, and will lead the world in 6G technology,

Scindia said BSNL is using a 5G technology developed by a consortium of C-DOT and TCS, which is scalable and that the government is committed to achieving self-reliance in telecom technology and infrastructure.

He said India will have a radio access network with 100,000 sites that are fully functional by April-May next year. These can easily be switched to 5G by June 2025, he added.

Scindia said, the country has installed 450,000 towers within 22 months, achieving the fastest 5G rollout globally, and providing coverage for 80 per cent of the population.

India, he said, has achieved a complete transformation in the telecom sector, with the number of broadband connections multiplying to 940 million from around 60 million 10 years ago.

A voice call that cost 50 paise 10 years ago, now costs just 3 paise. The cost of data has also come down drastically. One GB of data, which was costing Rs289 ten years ago, now costs around Rs29, the minister pointed out.