5G Rollout in India
India launched 5G mobile services on 1 October 2022, beginning one of the world's fastest large-scale deployments of next-generation mobile infrastructure. Following the government's 2022 spectrum auction and telecom-sector reforms, private telecom operators rapidly deployed hundreds of thousands of 5G base stations across the country. Within roughly two years, 5G had reached nearly every district in India. By February 2026, 5G services were available in 99.9% of districts with 5.23 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations installed nationwide, creating infrastructure for high-speed connectivity, fixed wireless access, smart manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and other digital applications.
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Timeline
1 September 2017
India establishes 5G High Level Forum
The Government of India established a High Level Forum for 5G to develop a roadmap for the country's adoption of fifth-generation mobile technology and strengthen domestic research and development.
1 January 2018
India begins preparing for indigenous 5G development
Government, academic institutions and industry expanded research into 5G technologies, standards, testbeds and indigenous telecom equipment as India prepared for commercial deployment.
4 May 2021
5G trials approved
The Department of Telecommunications approved applications from telecom service providers to conduct 5G technology trials in India, allowing operators and technology partners to test next-generation networks before commercial deployment.
17 May 2022
Indigenous 5G testbed launched
India launched an indigenous 5G testbed developed through collaboration between leading Indian academic institutions, providing domestic industry and startups with infrastructure for validating 5G products and technologies.
26 July 2022
India begins first major 5G spectrum auction
The Government of India began auctioning spectrum across multiple frequency bands for the deployment of 5G mobile services.
1 August 2022
5G spectrum auction concludes
India's 2022 telecom spectrum auction concluded with bids worth more than ₹1.50 lakh crore. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Adani Data Networks acquired spectrum across various bands.
18 August 2022
5G spectrum assigned to telecom operators
The Department of Telecommunications assigned spectrum acquired in the auction to telecom service providers, clearing a major regulatory step toward commercial 5G deployment.
1 October 2022
5G services officially launched in India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched 5G services at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, marking the beginning of commercial 5G deployment in India.
1 October 2022
Airtel begins commercial 5G rollout
Bharti Airtel began deploying Airtel 5G Plus across its initial cities, becoming one of the first operators to commercially offer 5G connectivity in India.
5 October 2022
Reliance Jio begins 5G beta rollout
Reliance Jio began the beta rollout of its Jio True 5G network in major cities, using a standalone 5G architecture designed to operate independently of the existing 4G network.
1 January 2023
5G deployment accelerates nationwide
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel rapidly expanded their 5G networks into additional cities and towns, driving one of the fastest large-scale telecom infrastructure deployments in India.
1 May 2023
India crosses 2 lakh 5G base stations
India crossed approximately two lakh installed 5G Base Transceiver Stations within months of the commercial launch, demonstrating the rapid pace of network deployment.
27 October 2023
100 5G Use Case Labs announced
The government launched an initiative establishing 100 5G Use Case Labs in educational institutions to encourage development of applications in areas including agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation and smart infrastructure.
31 December 2023
5G reaches most Indian districts
By the end of 2023, India's 5G deployment had expanded across the overwhelming majority of districts as telecom operators continued installing base stations at a rapid pace.
31 October 2024
5G reaches 779 of 783 districts
By 31 October 2024, 5G services had been deployed in all States and Union Territories and were available in 779 of India's 783 districts. More than 4.6 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations had been installed.
28 February 2025
India installs 4.69 lakh 5G base stations
India had installed approximately 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations. 5G services were available in 99.6% of districts and approximately 25 crore mobile subscribers were using 5G.
30 June 2025
5G infrastructure reaches 4.86 lakh BTSs
The number of installed 5G Base Transceiver Stations reached approximately 4.86 lakh, while 5G services were available in 99.8% of districts across India.
31 October 2025
5G reaches 99.9% of districts
India's 5G network reached 99.9% of districts with approximately 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations installed nationwide. Government figures also reported approximately 85% population coverage.
31 December 2025
India crosses 5.18 lakh 5G base stations
Telecom service providers had installed approximately 5.18 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations across India while maintaining 5G availability in 99.9% of districts.
28 February 2026
India reaches 5.23 lakh 5G base stations
India reached approximately 5.23 lakh installed 5G Base Transceiver Stations. 5G services were available in all States and Union Territories and in 99.9% of districts across the country.
1 June 2026
5G becomes nationwide digital infrastructure
By 2026, government reporting described 5G as available in 99.9% of districts with approximately 85% population coverage, completing the transition from an initial metropolitan rollout into nationwide digital infrastructure.