Like lightning striking every corner of the country, 5G now pulses across India, connecting cities and villages alike.
India Achieves Near-Universal 5G Coverage, Deploys Over 5 Lakh Base Stations Nationwide
India has achieved near-universal 5G coverage, with services now available across every State and Union Territory and reaching 99.9% of districts. Over 5.08 lakh 5G base stations (BTS) have been deployed, driven by government initiatives such as BharatNet, 4G Saturation, and connectivity schemes in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas.
Faster Right of Way approvals via the GatiShakti Sanchar portal and extensive infrastructure sharing have accelerated the rollout. Overall, India now operates over 31 lakh BTS across all telecom technologies.
This progress was confirmed by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in the Rajya Sabha, noting that India has moved from early-stage pilots to near-national coverage in just over 2 years—one of the fastest nationwide deployments globally.
Operators have expanded both urban and rural 5G coverage using fresh spectrum and upgraded infrastructure, bringing high-speed services to major cities, district headquarters, and increasingly to rural belts.
Next on the Cards – Rural Connectivity, Network Quality, and Enterprise Applications
The government has prioritized rural and remote regions through targeted schemes, including BharatNet, which extends fibre broadband to villages; mobile connectivity projects in LWE-affected and Aspirational Districts; and the 4G Saturation program, which ensures basic mobile coverage for previously unconnected villages.
Urban deployment has also accelerated with time-bound approvals for installing telecom equipment on street furniture such as lamp posts and bus shelters.
With complete coverage almost entirely achieved, the next step would be to focus on the network quality, enterprise applications, and enhanced rural digital services. Strengthening fibre backhaul and ensuring consistent connectivity, especially in high-density areas, will be key priorities in 2026. The nation’s 5G ecosystem now stands ready to support the next wave of digital inclusion, innovation, and enterprise growth.
With 5G lighting up every horizon, India’s digital pulse beats faster, linking every heart and village to the rhythm of a connected future.
Summary
India’s 5G network now covers 99.9% of districts, with 5.08 lakh BTS deployed nationwide. Government initiatives such as BharatNet, 4G Saturation, and rural connectivity schemes, along with faster approvals and infrastructure sharing, have accelerated the rollout. The focus now shifts to network quality, enterprise applications, and extending services to rural areas, marking a major milestone in digital inclusion.
