Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday that 5G technology in India is entirely indigenous, with the exception of a few “critical parts” imported from countries such as South Korea. During a discussion with students at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the minister stated that India is willing to share 5G technology with other countries.
“The story (of India’s 5G) is still being told,” Sitharaman said. “The 5G network that we have launched in our country is completely self-contained.”
“Some critical parts could come from, say, countries like (South) Korea, but not from anyone else.” “We now have such complete indigenous technology that we can provide 5G to any country that wants it,” she added.
Citing private companies that have launched 5G in select cities, the minister stated that the majority of the country will have access to the technology by 2024.
“We can be extremely proud of India’s achievement in 5G.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled 5G technology earlier this month in New Delhi at the India Mobile Congress 2022. Bharti Airtel was the first to launch 5G services in eight cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, and Bengaluru. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd., stated that the Jio 5G network will reach the most remote parts of India by December of next year, providing services “more affordable than anywhere else in the world.”
“Today, 130 crore Indians are receiving a wonderful gift in the form of 5G from the country and the telecom industry of the country,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the India Mobile Congress, launching 5G services and heralding the start of a new era.
“5G is the start of an infinite sky of possibilities… 5G, with speeds many times faster than 4G and lag-free connectivity, has the potential to allow billions of connected devices to share data in real time. It has the potential to transform sectors ranging from health care and education to agriculture and disaster management,” Modi said.
