With 5G connectivity set to be launched in India in the first week of October, Union minister for Railways, Communication, Electronics and IT Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University here could set up a 5G Lab and a Software Development lab.

“The IT ministry will provide the needed 5G spectrum and extend the assistance for such ventures within 30 days of receipt of the application,” Mr. Vaishnaw said while interacting with students and faculty members of the university.

SOA sources said steps were being taken for establishment of these two labs.

The union minister, who attended a program ‘Modi@20-- Dreams meet Delivery’ organised in SOA to mark 20 years of leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and interacted with the packed audience, said 5G connectivity would come as the biggest boon for the healthcare, agriculture and education sectors.

“The three big challenges we faced in launching 5G included development of a stable core, development of a stable radio for Indian conditions and integration of the whole system. But we have succeeded well in all three,” he told a questioner.

Mr. Vaishnaw said only five countries in the world had end-to-end technology for telecom. He said a world class 5G lab had already been developed at IIT-Madras to provide a boost to the 5G technology.

Replying to a question about the poor speed of 4G, Mr. Vaishnaw said the biggest obstacle related to availability of spectrum. “I recently called all telecom service providers and told them since they had the spectrum now, it was their duty to improve the quality of service. And they have been given targets,” he said.

Praising Prime Minister Mr. Modi for his dreams and methodical hardwork which was ensuring the nation’s progress, Mr. Vaishnaw said the leader’s continuous efforts was creating a future for the young generation.

Prof. Basanta Kumar Pati, Professor of Gynaecology in SOA’s faculty of medical sciences, welcomed the minister while Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda provided an outline of the university. Dean (Students’ Welfare) Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das conducted the proceedings.