The fifth-generation or 5G telecom services have start in 50 towns distribute over 14 states/union territories as of 26th November 2022, Parliament was inform.
The Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that telecom operators have start providing 5G services in the country from 1st October, 2022.
Devusinh Chauhan Said :
“Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have start providing 5G services in the country from 1st October, 2022 onwards and as of 26th November 2022, 5G services have start in 50 towns distribute over 14 States/ Union Territories,”.
Devusinh Chauhan was responding to a question on many glitches in 5G services and poor network.
He said that as per the bid document for the auction of access spectrum and license conditions, the minimum rollout obligations are require to be met over a period of five years in a phase manner from the date of allocation of spectrum.
Government has taken many policy initiatives to facilitate faster and smooth rollout of telecom network (including 5G) and expansion of telecommunication infrastructure in the country.
These include making sufficient spectrum available for mobile services through auction, allowing spectrum sharing and trading among others.
Devusinh Chauhan said that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) float tender in October 2022 for its requirement of one lakh 4G sites.
Devusinh Chauhan Said :
“BSNL floated the Expression of Interest (EOI) on January 1, 2021 for the Proof of Concept (PoC). The PoC has been complete with few pending points. 5G Non Standalone Access (NSA) upgrade has also been kept as a deferred feature in BSNL’s EOI,”.
As government has reserve spectrum for BSNL for providing 5G services, Devusinh Chauhan said.
To a separate question on the losses of BSNL and MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd), the Devusinh Chauhan said that since inception, the total net loss of BSNL is Rs. 57,671 crore while that of MTNL is Rs. 14,989 crore as on 31st March, 2022.
Devusinh Chauhan Said :
“The reasons for losses of BSNL and MTNL are high employee cost over the years, debt burden, stiff competition in the market and lack of 4G services (except on a limited basis in certain areas),”.
BSNL and MTNL have become EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation) positive since the financial year 2020-21, as a result of 2019 revival plan.
With the implementation of Rs. 1.64 lakh crore revival package for BSNL, approve earlier 2022, the state own telecom is expect to turn-around and become a profit earning entity.
