Bhubaneswar: The fifth-generation (5G) mobile service in Odisha has completed two years today. Two years ago, on January 5, 2023, the then Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan formally launched this service in Bhubaneswar. On that day, 5G services were activated in select locations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The concerned minister had announced that within two years, this service would be available across the entire state.
It was expected that the launch of 5G services in Odisha would improve communication infrastructure, create more employment opportunities, and bring revolutionary changes in agriculture, education, and healthcare sectors. According to information from the telecom department, on the launch day (January 5, 2023), 624 BTS (Base Transceiver Stations) were installed. By December 31, 2023, this number had increased to 11,264. However, in 2024, the installation of BTS slowed down significantly, reaching only 12,678 by December 31, 2024.
In 2023, telecom companies showed great enthusiasm in setting up 5G BTS, but this trend did not continue in 2024. Data from DOT (Department of Telecommunications) shows that only 1,414 new 5G BTS were installed in Odisha in 2024.
Currently, four telecom companies, including the state-owned BSNL, are providing mobile services in Odisha. However, only two private companies—Jio and Airtel—are offering 5G services. According to telecom industry experts, around 80% of 5G BTS in the state have been set up by Jio, while Airtel has installed the remaining 20%. Jio is providing 5G services using 3500 MHz and 700 MHz radio frequencies, while Airtel is using 3500 MHz frequencies.
Despite the launch of 5G services, the expected transformations in education, healthcare, and agriculture have not materialized. However, mobile data usage has increased in the state after 5G’s introduction.
Experts point out several reasons why 5G services have not reached all areas and why adoption remains low. The biggest challenge is that many people do not have 5G-compatible phones. The high cost of 5G smartphones has become a major barrier, preventing many users from switching to the new network. Moreover, 5G network coverage has not yet expanded to all locations in the state.
Another issue is that users do not perceive a significant difference between 4G and 5G services in terms of quality and speed, reducing their enthusiasm to switch. Additionally, BSNL and Vodafone Idea have not yet launched 5G services in Odisha.
Unless these challenges are resolved, experts believe that the adoption and expansion of 5G services in the state will remain slow in the near future.