BSNL has shortlisted a consortium led by TCS and C-DOT to roll out the 4G network, which will be upgraded to 5G in about a year after the order is awarded. “BSNL 5G services will be available from March or April 2024. It’s going very fast. In 2023, we will see rapid rollout of 4G and 5G in 2024,” Vaishnaw said while speaking to reporters here.

He was speaking on the sidelines of an event to launch Jio and Airtel’s 5G services in Odisha. Vaishnaw along with the Union Secretary of Education Dharmendra Pradhan the services started. “All of Odisha will be covered by 5G services in two years. Today, 5G services were rolled out in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack,” said the telecoms minister.

He had pledged to roll out 5G services in the state before Jan. 26. “It has only been three months since the rollout of 5G and we are seeing the fastest deployment of 5G networks in India,” the minister said.

Vaishnaw said the Modi government has allocated Rs 5,600 crore to boost telecom connectivity in the state. “100 towers for 4G services covering 100 villages in Odisha went live today,” he said.

The minister said the center plans to install 5,500 cell towers for 4G service in all 7,500 villages in the state by August 15, 2024. “It is our internal goal to complete the installation of 5,500 masts by August 15, 2024 for 4G services, but also later upgraded to 5G,” Vaishnaw said.

Out of the total of 5,500, Vaishnaw has inaugurated 100 towers that will provide 4G services to over 100 villages. The minister announced that the Software Technology Parks of India will set up 8 centers to promote startups in the state.

He said the centers are planned to be established by December 2023 in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Jaipur, Angul and Koraput. During the launch event, Siksha O Anusandhan University signed a memorandum of understanding with Reliance Jio to set up a 5G laboratory. The lab offers hands-on experience with the latest 5G technology and improves job potential for students in Odisha.