Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 5G services at the India Mobile Congress (IMC), 2022 on Saturday. “5G technology will not be limited to speedy internet access, but it has the capability to change lives,” he said. Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, over 200 cities in India will get 5G in the next 6 months, Mint reported. Attempts are being made to make 5G services available in 80 to 90% of the country in the next two years, he added. He also emphasized that 5G services will be affordable, just like India's 4G services. Telcos' 5G timeline The representatives of all three major private telecom providers were present at the event. Airtel started offering its 5G services on the same day in 8 cities in India. It will expand to "most cities" by March 2023, and to the whole country by March 2023, said Sunil Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Airtel. Jio's Mukesh Ambani said Jio will bring 5G to "every town, every taluka and every tehsil of our district" by December 2023. Media reports state that Jio's 5G will be launched during Diwali, around 22nd and 26th October this year. Vodafone Idea's Kumar Mangalam Birla did not announce any dates for rolling out 5G services at the event. On Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives Most of Jio's 5G is developed in India and hence carries the stamp of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Ambani said. He also said, "as an industry, we will ensure that we have the highest quality…
