New Delhi, October 3 (Udaipur Kiran News): The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the deadline for telecom operators — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) — to submit their mandatory 5G EMF (Electromagnetic Field) exposure certificates. The earlier deadline of September 1, 2025, has now been extended to December 31, 2025.
The extension was granted after the telecom companies requested additional time, citing the large number of 5G towers that require testing and a shortage of approved testing equipment.
As per DoT data, India had around 504,000 5G BTS (Base Transceiver Stations) as of September 30, 2025. The government has set a maximum power density limit of 5 watts per square metre for each 5G BTS. This limit, previously 1 watt per square metre, was revised to align with global standards and improve network reach and service quality.
The International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) recommends a limit of 10 watts per square metre. Based on this, Jio, Airtel, and Vi have requested the government to increase the permissible power density from 5 W/m² to 10 W/m², which would help enhance coverage, reduce infrastructure costs, and deliver efficient services.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing the three major telcos, stated that the availability of approved EMF testing tools, such as Narda measurement equipment, remains severely limited. Despite ongoing efforts, a low number of 5G sites have undergone EMF testing so far.
To accommodate these challenges, the DoT has now given operators time until December 31, 2025, to complete testing and submit all 5G EMF compliance certificates, ensuring adherence to national radiation safety norms.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.