India Nears Position as Top Two Global 5G Ecosystem: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

India is on its way to becoming one of the top two global 5G ecosystems, following the rapid deployment of 270,000 5G sites, according to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Communications, IT, and Railways. The Minister also emphasized the growing semiconductor sector and the government's 6G initiatives in collaboration with IIT Madras.
INDIA NEARS POSITION AS TOP TWO GLOBAL 5G ECOSYSTEM: MINISTER ASHWINI VAISHNAW

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Minister of Communications, IT, and Railways, proclaimed on Monday that India is on the verge of becoming one of the top two global 5G ecosystems. This comes following the successful deployment of 270,000 next-generation (5G) sites within just three quarters, marking the swiftest rollout globally.

“Currently, India has ascended to be among the leading three 5G ecosystems. With 270,000 sites fully operational and broadcasting, it won’t be long before India secures a position among the top two worldwide,” Vaishnaw stated.


Commercial 5G services in India were launched last October by Prime Minister Modi, primarily driven by two private-sector telecom companies – Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The rapid deployment has pulled the telecom industry out of a slump and initiated a phase of growth, establishing it as a promising sector in the country.

Vaishnaw also expressed optimism about the rising semiconductor industry in India, which has recently attracted several multinational companies. He lauded the considerable strides made in establishing a semiconductor manufacturing facility spearheaded by Micron, with the first indigenous chipset expected to be produced by December 2024.

He revealed that the groundwork for Micron Technologies’ project was laid during the Prime Minister’s recent state visit to the US, with the government of Gujarat allocating land for the project. Plans are in place for a factory setup, with a ground-breaking ceremony scheduled in the next 4 to 6 weeks.

The minister noted fresh enthusiasm in the semiconductor sector from the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The government has launched several 6G test beds in the terahertz frequency range in collaboration with IIT Madras to support future tech development. India has also registered over 200 patents for 6G technology.ย The Department of Telecom (DoT) established the Bharat 6G Alliance, led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) COO NG Subramaniam. The alliance includes representatives from academia, industry, and government.


Recent Content

The telecom industry in 2025 is undergoing a major transformation, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud growth, next-gen cellular networks, and national data sovereignty. AI is reshaping cellular infrastructure, enhancing spectrum efficiency through innovations like ELAA (Extremely Large Aperture Arrays), and enabling smarter, adaptive networks.
Vodafone is expanding its role in the UK smart metering upgrade by providing fixed-line connectivity between energy suppliers and the Data Service Platform (DSP). This move complements its existing mobile network role and positions Vodafone as a critical telecom partner in the UK’s digital energy transition, helping to advance national net-zero and smart grid goals.
Connecting the unconnected requires more than just broadband buildout. National digital inclusion strategies focus on affordability, digital skills, devices, and sustainable infrastructure to empower all communities. Learn how federal programs, state initiatives, and public-private partnerships are reshaping broadband access across America.
Huaweiโ€™s new AI chip, the Ascend 910D, has raised concerns about Nvidiaโ€™s China business, but analysts say it lacks the global performance, ecosystem, and efficiency to compete with Nvidiaโ€™s H100 GPU. Built on 7nm technology with limited software support, Huaweiโ€™s chip may gain local traction but poses no major international threatโ€”yet.
Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
Whitepaper
Explore the collaboration between Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, Ericsson, and Saab at the Aviation Innovation Hub. Discover how private 5G networks, real-time analytics, and sustainable innovations are shaping the "Airport of the Future" for a smarter, safer, and greener aviation industry....
Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top