India launches 5G services in what Narendra Modi calls a ‘step towards the new era’
- Much-awaited services aim to provide seamless coverage, high data rate, less delay in internet connectivity and highly reliable communications
- Launch in selected cities expected to cover entire country over next couple of years
The launch in select cities will cover the entire country over the next couple of years, according to a government statement.
Modi launched the much-awaited services that aim to provide seamless coverage, high data rate, less delay in internet connectivity and highly reliable communications in the presence of India’s telecoms leaders in New Delhi.
“This event will be etched in history,” Modi said at the launch, adding it was a “step towards the new era in the country” and “the beginning of infinite opportunities”.
Bharti Airtel is rolling out its 5G services in eight cities on Saturday and has set March 2024 as the deadline for countrywide coverage for as many as 5,000 towns.
Telecoms company Reliance Jio plans to start from four metropolitan areas in October and hopes to reach most cities and towns in 18 months.
The government said that the cumulative economic impact of 5G on India was expected to reach $450 billion by 2035.
Research agency OMDIA projects that with 369 million 5G subscriptions – more than half the total global 5G subscriptions currently – India will be just behind China and the United States in world rankings by 2026. India would have ousted Japan from the third spot with 147 million customers, according to Business Standard newspaper.
