Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 23: Despite Bengaluru being known as India’s Silicon Valley, Karnataka is lagging behind in 5G network coverage, which remains below the expected level in the state.

This information emerged from data presented by the ministry of communications in the Lok Sabha. According to the ministry, 5G coverage in Karnataka currently reaches only 79.92 per cent of the population. This is not only below the national average of 86.18 per cent, but also behind states such as Bihar (94.52%), Uttar Pradesh (85.25%), Kerala (97.54%), Gujarat (94.87%), and Haryana (99.52%).

Only the licensed service areas of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata have achieved 100 per cent 5G network coverage.

These figures raise questions about whether Karnataka, which is considered a leader in technology and infrastructure, is falling behind in the expansion of 5G networks.

The state has installed 34,444 BTS (Base Transceiver Stations), the fourth highest in the country. It also has 2.33 crore 5G users, which is a notable achievement. However, this infrastructure has not been evenly distributed across all regions of the state.

While 5G network expansion has progressed rapidly in metropolitan cities like Bengaluru, availability in rural and remote areas remains limited. It is said that telecom companies have prioritised high-revenue urban markets, contributing to this imbalance.

In contrast, states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have managed to reach a larger share of their population despite having fewer BTS, highlighting the importance of equitable network distribution. This development shows that increasing infrastructure alone is not sufficient, but efficient allocation is equally crucial.

At the national level, India has made significant progress in 5G network coverage. A total of 5,23,866 BTS have been installed, with 37.6 crore users accessing 5G services. With 1.02 billion internet users, the average monthly data consumption per user stands at 25.70 GB, which is higher than that of many developed nations. Additionally, India’s median mobile broadband speed is 130.24 Mbps, surpassing the global average of 107.13 Mbps.

In this context, it is important that 5G networks in the state are not limited to urban centres but are extended equally to rural and border regions. If the government and telecom companies work in coordination, Karnataka can emerge as a leader in the 5G sector in line with its technological capabilities. Otherwise, there is a risk of widening digital inequality despite its identity as an ‘IT hub’.