Dearth of applications, ‘backward looking’ regulations limiting 5G benefits in India: Airtel CEO

Mumbai: The 5G network roll-outs are happening at a blazing pace, but a dearth of applications and backward looking regulations is limiting the benefits India can derive from the modern technology, Airtel chief Gopal Vittal said. Vittal said the second largest telco alone will be reaching each of 7,000 towns and over 1.5 lakh villages with its 5G network by end of FY24, but rued that a laggard ecosystem which has not kept pace by offering services does not help the telecom subscriber distinguish between the 4G and 5G networks.