The 5G spectrum auction will be conducted this year for the roll-out of 5G mobile services within 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget 2022 on February 1.

Scheme for design-led manufacturing in 5G will be launched as part of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. 

She stated, “Spectrum auctions will be conducted in 2022 to facilitate the roll-out of 5G mobile services within 2022-23 by private telecom providers.” 

The minister added, “a scheme for design-led manufacturing will be launched to build a strong ecosystem for 5G as part of the production-linked incentive scheme.”

She further elucidated, “this will promote R&D and commercialisation of technologies and solutions. Our mission is that all villages and their residents should have the same access to e-services, communication facilities and digital resources as urban areas and their residents.”

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A few telecom service companies have already began the trials for 5G services in the country.

Airtel conducted the first 5G trial in collaboration with Nokia on the outskirts of Kolkata.

Reliance Jio also conducted trials on its 5G networks.  

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2022 in Parliament on February 1 at 11 am. Previously, the budget was presented on the last working day of February, and former Finance Minister Arun Jaitely changed that tradition.

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The focus areas of this year’s budget include PM Gati Shakti, productivity
enhancement, inclusive development, energy transition, climate action, financing
of investments, and sunrise opportunities.

The Budget, also known as the annual financial statement, is an account of the government’s estimated receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year which runs from April 1 to March 31. According to Article 112 of the Constitution, a budget must be approved by Parliament.

The budget is divided into two parts: the revenue budget and the capital budget. The revenue budget consists of revenue receipts and expenditures. The capital budget includes the government’s capital receipts and payments.