Shaping the global telecom industry

India aims to design, develop and deploy 6G technologies to provide ubiquitous intelligent and secure connectivity for high quality living experience

- JAIDEEP GHOSH

A few months after launching 5G services, India recently unveiled the Bharat 6G Vision Statement, outlining the country's aspiration to provide its citizens with advanced, affordable, and sustainable next-generation 6G telecom technology

The Vision document identifies key research pathways being pursued or planned globally that are particularly relevant for ideating new possibilities in the Indian context. It also identifies several connectivity and computing technologies, new hardware, software, high-frequency spectrum, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) engines, space-based assets, devices, and applications to unleash what is called a Tactile Internet.

Over and above the technical aspects, India's 6G aspiration is very evident.

India intends to play a leadership role in shaping the 6G landscape globally, despite being a late entrant in 5G. The country aims to move beyond adopting globally developed telecom solutions to taking an active role in fundamental R&D, development of standards, devices, commercialisation, and launch.

Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, EU states, and the US have already initiated 6G research. Commercial 6G launches are expected in the later part of the decade. This provides adequate time for India to work on the 6G Vision at a rapid pace to emerge among the leaders.

That would make India, the world's highest mobile data-consuming nation, a global force in the telecom industry.

THE VISION DOCUMENT

The sixth generation of wireless technology or 6G is still in the early stages of development. Experts predict that it will offer speeds and connectivity 100X faster than 5G, up to 1Tbps, with lower latency. This will be vital for powering emerging technologies.