Last Update: January 08, 2023, 15:28 IST
BSNL 4G expected to launch this year
Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Thursday said that state-owned BSNL will start 5G services by April 2024.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 5: Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Thursday said that state-owned BSNL will start 5G services by April 2024.
BSNL has shortlisted a consortium led by TCS and C-DOT to roll out the 4G network, which will be upgraded to 5G in about a year from the date of placing the order under the contract.
Talking to reporters here, Vaishnav said, “BSNL 5G services will be available from March or April 2024. It is progressing very fast. We will see 4G in 2023 and 5G in 2024 rapidly rolling out.”
He was speaking on the sidelines of an event organized to launch 5G services of Jio and Airtel in Odisha. Vaishnava with Sangha Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the services.
The Telecom Minister said, “Entire Odisha will be covered with 5G services in 2 years. Today 5G services have been launched in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.”
He promised to start 5G services in the state before January 26.
“It’s been three months since 5G was launched and we are witnessing the fastest-ever rollout of 5G networks in India,” the minister said.
Vaishnav said the Modi government has allocated Rs 5,600 crore to strengthen telecom connectivity in the state.
“100 towers have been launched today for 4G services covering 100 villages in Odisha,” he said.
The minister said the Center has plans to install 5,500 mobile towers for 4G services in all 7,500 villages of the state by August 15, 2024.
“It is our internal target to complete the installation of 5,500 towers by August 15, 2024. This will be for 4G services, but later it will be upgraded to 5G as well,” Vaishnav said.
Of the total 5,500, Vaishnav inaugurated 100 towers that will provide 4G services to over 100 villages.
The Minister announced that Software technology K Park India Will set up 8 centers to encourage startups in the state.
He said that there are plans to set up centers in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Jaipur, Angul and Koraput by December 2023.
During the launch event, the University of Education o Research signed an MoU with Reliance Jio to set up a 5G lab. The lab will provide exposure to the latest 5G technology and improve the employability of students in Odisha. PTI PRS narrowly
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)