New Delhi: The next-generation 5G services are expected to roll out before the end of the year, for which the spectrum auctions will be conducted soon, said Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, reported PTI
Replying to a supplementary question during Question Hour, Chauhan further said that four companies have been allotted spectrum for conducting trials and added that the trials are expected to be completed soon.
The minister said that the telecom regulator TRAI has also, in the meanwhile, been asked to give its recommendations related to the upcoming auction.
"We will conduct auctions very soon. By the end of this year, we will start 5G services in the country," he said.
Chauhan also said that state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will begin its 4G services this year.
"Great revolution" has taken place in the telecom sector over the last seven years and data consumption has soared while tariffs are at their lowest, the minister said.
There is a robust public grievance mechanism in place and complaints pending for over 48 hours are escalated to senior officials, Chauhan said.
Chauhan said that with the launch of state-owned corporation's 4G services the quality of BSNL services will also improve.
Chauhan also highlighted the reforms undertaken by the government in the telecom sector and cited measures like re-definition of AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue).
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In a written reply, Communication Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "There is no decline in the number of mobile subscribers in the country in the year 2020-21."
As per the monthly Telecom Subscription Data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the number of mobile subscribers in India increased from 1,157.75 million in March 2020 to 1,180.96 million in March 2021.