19.6.22

5G to be rolled out by year-end: Telecom minister

Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said 5G deployment will commence in 20-25 cities and towns by the year-end, and indicated that India, with its current data prices significantly lower than global average, will continue to set rate benchmarks as new services are rolled out. The 5G deployment will start from August-September, Vaishnaw said.

The minister said India is developing 4G and 5G stacks, and is set to bolster its position as a trusted source for the world, in digital networks. Speaking at ‘TV9 What India Thinks Today Global Summit’, Vaishnaw said that nations are keen to give preference to 4G and 5G products and technologies being developed by India.

To address the issue of unsolicited calls, an “important” regulation is also in the works, which will enable KYC identity name of a caller to be displayed, when someone calls, the minister informed.

On 5G services, he said: “I can say with confidence that 5G deployment will start in at least 20-25 cities and towns by year end. ” Asked about the pricing for 5G services, Vaishnaw observed that even today data rates in India are at about USD 2, against global average of USD 25. “We are already the lowest in the world, at least by a factor of 10X… 10X we are cheaper than the world, that same trend will be in other areas too,” he said. As India prepares to usher 5G services, it has also developed 4G and 5G technology stacks.

Outlining India’s resolve to match global strides in 4G and 5G, and to take technology lead in 6G, the minister said the world has taken note of the country’s progress, and shown serious interest in the indigenous technologies being developed. “The telecom network supporting mobile phones has to be a trusted network. India’s name is on the top of the list of trusted network providers. When India develops a technology, entire world is interested in it,” he said. 

No comments: