Telecom sector has invested Rs. 10.44 lakh crores to set up a robust communication infrastructure that will support better quality and speed
India has added around 65,000 mobile towers and 6.34 lakh base trans-receiver stations (BTS) in the past two years. Currently, there is around 20 lakh BTS and 5 lakh mobile towers.
Leaders in installation
States like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have recorded the highest number of installations. Maharashtra topped the list with 1.64 lakh BTS units. Andhra Pradesh had installed about 1.50 lakh and Karnataka set up about 1.41 lakh base trans-receiver stations in the past two years.
Telecom infrastructure important for 5G
Rajan S Mathews, COAI director general said that the telecom infrastructure expansion would aid in strengthening the connectivity across the country. He added that a stronger telecom infrastructure that supports better connectivity, in terms of quality and speed, is required ahead of 5G deployment in India.
Mathews further highlighted the need for right of way (RoW) permissions to enhance telecom infrastructure and connectivity. With the adoption of emerging technologies such as the Internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), Augmented and virtual realities, a strong telecom infrastructure is required.
The telecom sector had recently brought out the National Digital Communications Policy that aimed to draw around $ 100 billion investments across the world by 2022. It has been designed to support India’s move in becoming a digitally empowered economy and society. It will be monitoring the spectrum prices and usage charges, license fees, the rules of mergers and acquisitions in the telecom sector and leasing and trading guidelines in India. It aims to support the ease of doing business in this segment.
