The adoption rate of any technology may be assessed through the growth of its user base and installed infrastructure. Since the launch of 5G services in the country, approximately 25 crore mobile subscribers have started using 5G services and 4.69 lakhs 5G BTSs have been installed across the country. This shows that the 5G services are being steadily adopted by users.

Government has prescribed frequency band-wise minimum rollout obligations in the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for auction of spectrum conducted for 5G services. These minimum rollout obligations are required to be met over a period of five years in a phased manner from the date of allocation of spectrum. Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have expanded their 5G network across the country and have gone beyond these minimum rollout obligations. Further expansion of mobile network beyond the mandatory rollout obligations, depends upon the techno-commercial considerations of the TSPs.

The total number of wireless subscribers across the country for the past five years is given below:

The total Internet subscribers as on September 2024 are 97.15 crores and this comprises of 4.36 crores wired Internet subscribers and 92.78 crores wireless Internet subscribers. Besides, as on September 2024, there are 7,23,339 Wi-Fi subscribers.

Annexure-I

State-wise number of Districts and villages where 5G BTSs have been installed:

This information was given by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications And Rural Development, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 20, 2025.