India has achieved a major milestone in its digital journey, becoming the second-largest 5G market globally with more than 400 million subscribers, trailing only China. The rapid scale-up of next-generation mobile networks reflects one of the fastest 5G adoption rates seen anywhere in the world.
Since the commercial rollout of 5G services in 2022, coverage has expanded at an unprecedented pace. Today, 5G networks span nearly 99.6% of India’s districts and reach close to 85% of the population. This expansion has been supported by the deployment of approximately 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) across the country by telecom operators, significantly strengthening nationwide connectivity.
Rapid Adoption and Digital Transformation
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted that around 25 crore people have already adopted 5G services, underscoring a swift transformation in India’s mobile ecosystem. The scale and speed of adoption are positioning India as a global benchmark in digital growth and telecom infrastructure development.
The impact of this expansion is also evident in rural connectivity. Over the past decade, rural telephony has grown by 42.9%, nearly twice the growth rate seen in urban areas, indicating deeper digital penetration beyond major cities and towns.
In another landmark achievement, India’s total number of internet connections has crossed the 100 crore mark, rising sharply from just 25.15 crore earlier. This surge reflects the widespread acceptance of digital services and the growing role of the internet in everyday life.
Push for Indigenous Telecom Capabilities
Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, India has made significant progress in developing homegrown telecom infrastructure. The country has become the fifth globally to develop its own 4G technology, which is fully upgradable to 5G. This advancement highlights India’s focus on technological self-reliance and reducing dependence on imported telecom solutions.
The government has also been accelerating indigenous research and development through initiatives such as the ambitious Bharat 6G Mission, aimed at positioning India at the forefront of future wireless technologies.
Summary:
India has become the world’s second-largest 5G market with over 400 million users, driven by rapid network expansion, strong rural adoption, and widespread internet penetration exceeding 100 crore connections. Supported by indigenous telecom development and initiatives like the Bharat 6G Mission, India is emerging as a global leader in digital infrastructure and next-generation connectivity.
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