India’s 5G Base Transceiver Station (BTS) count surpassed 450,000 in July 2024. By the end of June, there were 448,709 BTS sites, which increased to 452,055 by the end of July—an addition of 3,346 sites. Every state saw a slight increase in 5G site deployment. Reliance Jio continues to lead the deployment, as it focuses on 5G SA (standalone) technology. In contrast, Airtel has opted for 5G NSA (non-standalone), which requires fewer BTS sites.
While the overall BTS count will continue to rise, the pace is expected to slow as telecom companies moderate their 5G capital expenditures. Vodafone Idea’s anticipated 5G rollout could influence future growth, while India still faces challenges in achieving widespread 5G coverage. BSNL plans to upgrade its 4G network to 5G in 2025, and like Vodafone Idea, will adopt 5G NSA.
For the foreseeable future, Reliance Jio will remain the only operator offering 5G SA to mobile customers. Bharti Airtel has confirmed its own 5G SA rollout but will reserve this service for Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) or AirFiber customers only. Although 5G has reached nearly every town and city in India, the ongoing challenge for telecom operators will be monetizing their investments and generating returns in the near future. The current rate of 5G BTS expansion is likely to continue for the coming months.
