India 5G Network Set For Major Change As Government Plans Higher EMF Limits

India’s 5G network could be heading for a significant change as the government prepares to revise the permitted electromagnetic field limits for telecom infrastructure. The move is expected to support wider network coverage and could help operators manage the growing demand for 5G services.

Many users have experienced situations where their phones show a 5G connection but the actual internet speed remains disappointing. Network performance can vary considerably from one location to another, particularly in areas where large numbers of users are connected at the same time. Increasing traffic on 5G networks is also putting additional pressure on existing infrastructure.

According to a report by Economic Times, the government is planning to increase the permitted EMF power density for 5G base transceiver stations. The revised rules are expected to come into effect from September, with the broader objective of bringing Indian telecom standards closer to international practices.

At present, the permitted power density for 5G BTS infrastructure is reported to be 5W per square metre. Under the proposed change, this limit could be increased to 10W per square metre. In simple terms, telecom operators would have greater flexibility in deploying network infrastructure and improving coverage from existing sites.

The proposed change could be particularly useful in locations where 5G signals struggle to maintain consistent coverage. A higher permitted power density can help operators extend coverage from individual sites, potentially allowing signals to reach areas that currently experience weaker connectivity.

Another expected benefit is related to network expansion. Telecom companies may not need to install as many additional towers to provide coverage across larger areas. This could reduce some of the infrastructure costs associated with expanding 5G networks, while allowing operators to make better use of existing sites.

The demand for changes to the EMF limits has reportedly been coming from the telecom industry for some time. Operators have argued that stricter limits can make it more difficult to achieve consistent 5G coverage, particularly as data consumption and network traffic continue to increase.

India has historically followed relatively strict limits concerning radio frequency emissions from mobile network infrastructure. The EMF limits determine the maximum radio frequency energy that telecom equipment can emit within the permitted framework.

International recommendations in this area are associated with the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection, commonly known as ICNIRP. The organisation develops exposure guidelines for non ionizing radiation and its recommendations are considered by governments and international health bodies.

India had earlier followed a much lower power density limit of 1W per square metre. That figure was subsequently increased to 5W per square metre, and the proposed revision would take it to 10W per square metre. The latest change could therefore represent another major step in the way 5G infrastructure is deployed across the country.

For major telecom operators such as Jio and Airtel, a higher limit could make it easier to strengthen coverage across wider areas without depending entirely on a large number of new tower sites. Consumers could benefit if operators use the additional flexibility to improve network availability and capacity.

However, a higher EMF limit does not automatically mean every user will immediately receive faster 5G speeds. Actual performance also depends on spectrum availability, network congestion, backhaul capacity, handset capability and the number of users connected to a particular site.

If the revised rules take effect as reported, the impact is likely to become more visible gradually as telecom companies adjust their networks. For users who regularly encounter weak 5G coverage or inconsistent speeds, the move could eventually bring improvements as operators expand and optimise their networks.