5G technology is coming to India. The Indian government had auctioned 5G spectrum in India earlier this year. Exactly two months later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched 5G services in India on the inauguration day of the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022. Shortly after, the country’s top tech companies, including Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi) and state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), shared their plans to launch 5G networks in the country.
As telecom companies start rolling out their 5G services in India, here’s what you need to know about 5G in India.
When will Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL launch their 5G service in India?
Speaking at IMC 2022, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that in the next six months, i.e. by March 2023, more than 200 cities will get access to 5G services. He also said that efforts are being made to cover 80-90 per cent of the country. in the next two years. The Union Minister also said that BSNL will start its 5G services in India from August 15, 2023.
As far as Reliance Industries’ Jio is concerned, the company will start beta trials for its 5G network in select cities on October 5. After this it will formally start its 5G services this Diwali. The company plans to provide pan-India 5G coverage by December 2023.
Bharti Airtel, on the other hand, is starting to roll out its 5G services in eight cities across the country from October 1, 2022. It plans to provide its 5G services in major metro cities by December 2022 and pan-India 5G coverage by March 2024.
Vodafone Idea, also known as Vi, has said that it is planning to launch its 5G services in India. However, the company has not yet shared the timeline of the launch.
Which cities will get 5G service first?
Jio’s 5G service will be available for beta testing in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi from October 5. Then on October 24, the company will formally launch its 5G services in these cities before expanding its beta testing to more cities.
Airtel, on the other hand, has started rolling out its 5G services in Mumbai, Varanasi, Bangalore, Gurugram, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai. It will gradually expand the service to more cities.
How much will 5G services cost in India?
No telecom operator in India has yet announced their 5G tariff plan in India. However, reports suggest that both Airtel and Jio may offer their 5G services at affordable prices in the country to boost the adoption of 5G services.
Additionally, at launch, both Airtel and Jio are offering their 5G services at the current 4G prices. Both the companies will update their customers about the 5G tariff as soon as they have decided the pricing.
Do users have to change their SIM to get 5G connectivity?
While Vodafone Idea is yet to share any details in this regard, both Airtel and Jio have confirmed that their customers will not have to change their SIM card, as they did at the time of 4G roll out, to 5G. to gain access. services in the country.
“Your Airtel SIM is already 5G enabled. So it will work seamlessly on your 5G smart phone,” Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal wrote in a letter to Airtel customers last month.
After 5G in India: Check Availability, SIM Details, Tariff Plan for 5G Connectivity by Jio, Airtel, Wi, BSNL First appeared on BGR India.
