The Department of Telecommunications has extended the free operation of indigenous 5G testbeds for recognised startups and MSMEs from January 2023 to January 2024. The Ministry of Communication also said that all 5G stakeholders including academia, service providers, R&D institutions, government bodies and outfit manufacturers, among others can also use the 5G testbed at a veritably nominal rate. “This is being blazoned in order to encourage operation of the 5G test bed and give a fillip to the development of indigenous technologies products in line with ‘ Aatmanirbhar Bharat ’ vision.
Several startups and companies are formerly using the test bed for testing their products and services, ” MoC said in a statement. The ministry informed that the 5G test bed is presently available at IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur and IISc Bangalore. In March 2018, keeping in view India’s specific conditions and to take lead in 5G deployment, the DoT approved a fiscal entitlement for themulti-institute cooperative design to set up an ‘ Indigenous 5G test bed ’ in India with a total cost of ₹ 224 crore. The fleck noted that all 5G stakeholders viz., assiduity, academia, service providers, R&D institutions, government bodies, outfit manufacturers etc., can also use this installation but at a “ veritably nominal rate ”. “ This is being Announced to encourage operation of the test bed and give a fillip to the development of indigenous technologies products in line with Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision.
Several startups and companies are formerly using the test bed for testing their products and services, ” fleck said in a statement. As of now, telecom drivers –Airtel and Jio are offering 5G services across the country and are also targeting to complete the 5G rollout by December 2023. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea (Vi) and BSNL will soon be starting their services. According to Ericsson’s Mobility Report, India was estimated to have about 31 Mn 5G druggies by the end of 2022 and figures were further projected to go up to 690 Mn by 2028.