India is making significant strides in the development of 6G technology, aiming to position itself as a global leader in next-generation telecommunications. Here's a comprehensive overview of India's 6G initiatives:

🇮🇳 Bharat 6G Vision: India's Strategic Roadmap

Launched in March 2023, the Bharat 6G Vision outlines India's plan to design, develop, and deploy 6G technologies by 2030. The vision emphasizes affordability, sustainability, and ubiquity, aiming to provide intelligent and secure connectivity for a high-quality living experience worldwide.

The initiative is structured in two phases:

• Phase 1 (2023–2025): Focuses on research, development, and establishing testbeds.
• Phase 2 (2025–2030): Aims for large-scale deployment and global standardization.

An Apex Council oversees the mission, ensuring collaboration among academia, industry, and government bodies.

 

🧪 Research & Development Initiatives

6G Testbeds and Laboratories

India has established two major testbeds:

• 6G Terahertz (THz) Testbed
• Advanced Optical Communication Testbed

Additionally, 100 new 5G labs have been sanctioned across academic institutions to foster a 6G-ready ecosystem.

 

Collaborative Research Efforts

The government has approved 111 research proposals focusing on 6G network ecosystems. Notably, a collaboration between IIT-Hyderabad, Sharp Semiconductor Innovation Corporation (Japan), and WiSig Networks successfully tested Beyond 5G and 6G wireless technologies, demonstrating India's commitment to international partnerships

 

🌐 Global Engagement and Standardization

Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)

The Bharat 6G Alliance brings together domestic industries, academia, research institutions, and standards organizations

• Develop indigenous 5G and 6G products.
• Support Indian participation in global standard-setting bodies like 3GPP and ITU.
• Foster collaborations with international 6G alliances.

 

International Collaborations

India has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading global 6G alliances, emphasizing its role in shaping international standards. The country hosted the inaugural International 6G Symposium alongside the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024, highlighting its proactive approach in global discussions.

 

📶 Spectrum Management and Regulatory Framework

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released draft rules to delicense the lower portion of the 6 GHz spectrum band, aiming to enhance consumer access to faster and more efficient home WiFi networks. This move could enable WiFi speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps.

Furthermore, the Telecommunications Act, 2023 consolidates laws related to the development and operation of telecommunication services, providing a modern framework to support 6G advancements.

 

🔧 Technologies Used in 6G

Key technologies driving 6G include:

• Terahertz (THz) communication for ultra-high-speed internet up to 1 Tbps.
• AI-integrated networks that predict and manage traffic automatically.
• Quantum encryption for next-gen cybersecurity.
• Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS) to improve signal coverage and strength.
• Holographic and immersive communication for the metaverse, digital twins, and remote surgery.
• Satellite-terrestrial integration for uninterrupted global connectivity.
• Semantic and goal-oriented transmission to reduce bandwidth and improve energy efficiency.
• Cell-free massive MIMO for better network efficiency and lower latency.
• Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) to allow networks to sense their environment.

 

🌍 Use Cases Unique to 6G

• Remote Holographic Surgery
• Digital Twins of Cities
• Autonomous AI Swarms (drones/robots)
• Brain–computer interfaces
• Real-time universal language translation