For 5G, Telcos Installing 2500 Base Stations Per Week: Union Min Chauhan

Union Minister Devusinh Chauhan on Friday said Telecom Service Providers in the country are installing about 2,500 base stations per week in an effort to increase the reach of 5G. 

The Minster informed Rajya Sabha that 20,980 mobile base stations were installed as of November 26. Amongst the telcos Reliance Jio has installed 17,687 base stations, while Airtel has established 3,293.

Through a written reply, Chauhan said, "As on 26 November 2022, 20,980 base stations have been installed in 14 states and union territories. On an average, TSPs are installing approximately 2,500 base stations per week." 

He also informed the Rajya Sabha that telecom operators are currently providing 5G services to their subscribers, at no extra cost. "Presently, separate counts of 5G users are not being maintained by TSPs," Chauhan added.

Meanwhile in Lok Sabha, the Minister said that 10 MHz of paired spectrum in the 600 MHz band, 40 MHz in the 3300 MHz band and 400 MHz in the 26 GHz band has been reserved in all Licence Service Areas for providing 5G services by BSNL. 

“Further BSNL has also requested for reservation of 10 MHz of paired spectrum in the 700 MHz in lieu of the already reserved 10 MHz in the 600 MHz band, and additional 30 MHz and 400 MHz of spectrum in the 3300 MHz band and 26 GHz band respectively in all Licence Service Areas (LSAs),” he said.