Union Minister for Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday made the first 5G call on a trial network set up at IIT Madras using indigenously-developed technology.

Aatmanirbhar 5G 🇮🇳

Successfully tested 5G call at IIT Madras. Entire end to end network is designed and developed in India. pic.twitter.com/FGdzkD4LN0

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) May 19, 2022

"Aatmanirbhar 5G successfully tested 5G call at IIT Madras. The entire end-to-end network is designed and developed in India,” Vaishnaw said on Twitter.

"This is a realisation of the PM's vision. His vision is to have our own 4G and 5G technology stack developed and made in India for the world. We have to win the world with this new technology stack," Vaishnaw said in the video call.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched a 5G Test Bed, developed as a multi-institute collaborative project by a total of eight institutes led by IIT Madras. The 5G test bed at IIT Madras will enable startups and industry players to test and validate their products locally and reduce dependence on foreign facilities.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the project has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 220 crore.

The Department of Telecommunications is likely to move the 5G spectrum auction proposal to the Union Cabinet for final approval next week.

The roll-out of 5G services, expected in the latter part of the year, will enable the next generation of higher quality as well as new types of services such as fast downloads and video streaming.

Also read: India has moved on rapidly to 5G after losing a decade due to 2G scam, says PM Modi