Over 200 cities to get 5G by March 2023, BSNL to launch 5G on August 15 next year

PM Narendra Modi officially launched 5G in India today. Now, telcos are yet to provide availability and pricing details.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that over 200 Indian cities will get 5G service access in the next six months. The union minister made the announcement shortly after PM Narendra Modi's speech at India Mobile Congress in New Delhi. At the event, the prime minister officially launched 5G in India, though telcos such as Bharti Airtel, Vi, and Reliance Jio are yet to announce consumer availability dates and prices. At least Airtel and Jio have said that their 5G services will reach users this month.

At IMC 2022, IT minister Ashwini also added that the government-run BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) will launch its own 5G services in India on August 15. It will be interesting to see how the public body will price its services, given that Reliance Jio promised to offer the cheapest 5G service in India.

As reported by the news agency, ANI, union minister Vaishnaw said, "In coming six months, 5G services to be available in over 200 cities, attempts being made to make 5G services available in 80-90 per cent of country in next two years. BSNL to provide 5G services next year August 15 onwards. 5G too, to be affordable."

Many key details remain unclear, and we are expecting more information from the government and private players in the next four days -- during the INC 2022. So far, Jio has said that its 5G services will rollout by Diwali (October 23-24) in four major cities. Airtel said its 5G services are available from today, though it's likely for testing purposes. Moreover, Airtel said its 5G services will arrive in eight cities in the first phase. Vi is yet to offer clarity.