"The Department of Electronics and IT is funding a collaborative research project on 5G being undertaken by premier academic institutions across the country", Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
He further said the project was approved in September 2015 with an outlay of Rs 36.51 crore over a period of three years to be jointly implemented by IISc-Bangalore, IIT-Bombay, IIT-Hyderabad, IIT-Madras and Centre of Excellence in wireless technology, IIT Madras.
"These institutes will do advanced research and develop solutions in various areas of 5G technologies. The research team will also jointly develop advanced simulators and technology prototypes. The IPR developed in this project will be contributed for 5G standardisation", he said.
Regarding a query on improving the existing 3G and 4G networks, the minister said Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has held several meetings with senior officers of telecom service providers (TSPs) to emphasise for better telecom facilities.
"To improve 3G services, private TSPs have added 14,751 additional sites in last six months. BSNL has added 1,886 additional 3G sites across the country", he said.
(Also see: Telecom Minister Says 29,000 Towers Installed to Check Call Drops)
The minister further said DoT has awarded broadband wireless access (BWA) or 4G spectrum and 3G spectrum in 2010 to facilitate TSPs to launch such services.
"Additional spectrum alloted in November 2012 and February 2014 through open auction may also be utilised for launch of 3G and 4G services. All TSPs have made ambitious plan for launch of 3G and 4G services", he added.
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