Indian 6G test bed: News & Updates

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

DoT Launches Bharat 6G Alliance to Drive Innovation and Collaboration in Next-Generation Wireless Technology

More than 75 Innovators Felicitated by DoT

Under DCIS (Digital Communication Innovation Square), Rs. 48 crores as grant aided to 66 Startups and MSMEs

Together with a grant of Rs. 240.5 crores under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, Two Agreements signed

In past 9 years, various citizen and industry centric reforms have led the Telecom Industry as a Sunrise industry

India and USA to co-create technology

Over 2.7 lakh 5G tower have been installed almost at a rate of 1 Tower per minutes making India among Top 3 5G ecosystems in the World

4G footprint is now 99% and for remaining 38,000 crores has been put in to ensure 100% connectivity​

Posted On: 03 JUL 2023 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

Telecom sector is a continuously evolving sector with high technological obsolescence. It has seen transformation from Wireline to Mobile services, which has become lifeline of the people. Mobile services have also seen transformation from 2G to 3G to 4G to 5G and now 6G is in horizon.

In furthering the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Universal and Affordable connectivity, developing indigenous technology, developing telecom and semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, taking lead in 6G Technology, today, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology in presence of Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications announced

• Formation of the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), a collaborative platform consisting of public and private companies, academia, research institutions, and Standards development organizations.
• The website for Bharat6G Alliance was also launched, the link for the same is https://bharat6galliance.com
• B6GA will forge coalitions and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange

In addition, with a grant of 240.51 crores under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), two agreements were signed for projects

• 6G THz Testbed with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) & Multiplexing through consortium of SAMEER, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati and IIT Patna
• Advance Optical Communication Test Bed with Consortium Members as IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi, Signalchip Innovations, Signaltron Systems Pvt Ltd, Sasmos het Technologies Ltd, SFO Technologies Pvt. Ltd, ERNET India, Quanfluence Private Ltd, Sterlite Technologies Limited, Nav tech, Tejas network.

Further, Under DCIS (Digital Communication Innovation Square),

• Grant of Rs. 48 crores to 66 Startups and MSMEs was also announced
• 75 Innovators were also felicitated by DoT for their remarkable contributions to the field, recognizing their outstanding achievements and dedication. Department of Telecommunications under DCIS Scheme has been funding such startups and MSMEs.
• Details of DCIS are available at https://dcis.dot.gov.in/

Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of State for Communications stated India is a bright spot in the world’s economy, and the telecom sector is brightest spot in India and lauded the stakeholders for the efforts. He added, various citizen & industry centric reforms have led to transparent spectrum auction of over 1.5 Lakh Crore in record time of 42 days and 2.70 lakh 5G sites in 9 months which is one of the fastest rollout in the world. He appreciated the efforts of the awardees, and also thanked contribution of all stakeholders that has led to indigenous design of 4G and 5G technology and mentioned that with Bharat6G Alliance, India shall now lead in 6G technology.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Communications, Railways and Electronics & IT, said that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, in past nine years, various series of reforms, which include structural, procedural reforms and relief measures, have been undertaken for Telecom Sector that has led to transformation of Telecom Sector as a sunrise sector. He added that World is following the path of technology that India is following. He mentioned that in past 9 years,

• Data cost has been reduced from Rs.300/GB in 2014 to Rs.10/GB in 2023
• The Right of Way permission which took 230 days has been reduced to 9 days
• BTS sites have been increased 4 times to 25 Lakh
• FDI in Telecom Sector has increased to 24 billion Dollar
• In 5G , India Telecom industry has clocked investment of over 2.25 Lakh cores
• Allocation of spectrum after the auction to TSPs was done in 24 hours
• BSNL has become a market stabilizer and is now making operating profits
• India is exporting technology to 12 countries including USA
• 4G footprint is now 99% and for remaining 38,000 crores has been put in to ensure 100% connectivity
• Over 2.7 lakh 5G tower have been installed almost at a rate of 1 Tower per minute making India among Top three 5G ecosystems in the World.
• Japan has aligned with India on Digital Payment system of India.
• Almost 1.5 lakh broadband connection have been provided in rural areas.
• Under PLI, over 1,600 crore investments have happened in Telecom Manufacturing
• Over 200 patents in 6G technology

He said, in consequence to Hon’ble Prime Minister visit to United States of America, India and USA shall co-create technology and the change shall be instrumental to Developed India. He also mentioned about the Semiconductor Mission wherein for Micron Technologies, Land Approval and Project approval has been done within two weeks of announcement and Groundbreaking ceremony for first chip manufacturing unit shall be done with in next 40- 45 days. Five (5) design companies have been given approval for chip design, out of which two shall be working in Telecom Sector. He also mentioned that India is developing Advance optical communication with zero latency that shall help in fields like Telemedical and Telesurgery. He further emphasized that Bharat 6G alliance shall provide a push for making India a leader in 6GTechnology and IPR.

Aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call of adding Jan Anusandhaan in the new phase of Amrit Kaal, Government of India with support of startups, industry, academia, R&D institutes is relentlessly working towards ensuring digital and mobile inclusivity across the country and empowering of common citizens through last mile digital revolution and rapid proliferation of mobile and digital services.

Background

About Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)

The primary objective of B6GA is to understand the business and societal needs of 6G beyond technology requirements, foster consensus on these needs, and promote high-impact open research and development (R&D) initiatives.

B6GA aims to bring together Indian startups, companies, and the manufacturing ecosystem to establish consortia that drive the design, development and deployment of 6G technologies in India. By accelerating standards-related patent creation within the country and actively contributing to international standardization organizations such as 3GPP and ITU, B6GA seeks to position India at the forefront of 6G innovation.

One of the key goals of B6GA is to facilitate market access for Indian telecom technology products and services, enabling the country to emerge as a global leader in 6G technology. To achieve this, these efforts shall promote technology ownership and indigenous manufacturing, create a culture of technology co-innovation, reduce imports, boost export opportunities and augment creation of Intellectual Property.

About Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)

Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme was launched by DoT/USOF on 01.10.2022. 5% of annual collections from USOF will be available for TTDF Scheme for funding research & development of technologies, products, and services. The scheme is envisaged to bridge digital divide by developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art technologies and to form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem

The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme entails grants to Indian entities to encourage and induct indigenous technologies tailor-made to meet domestic needs. Under the TTDF scheme, USOF, DoT is also targeting to develop standards to meet countrywide requirements and create the ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, use cases, pilots, and proof of concept testing, among others.

DoT Launches Bharat 6G Alliance to Drive Innovation and Collaboration in Next-Generation Wireless Technology

 

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

Secretary (T) inaugurates center of excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at IITM Research Park, Chennai

Centre to play crucial role in shaping standards and infrastructure for 6G networks worldwide

To facilitate interconnect between existing 5G Test Bed at IIT Madras​

Posted On: 19 JUL 2024 8:00PM by PIB Delhi

Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom) has inaugurated a center of excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at IITM Research Park, Chennai. This is a sub-center of Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCoE)-India, and it will spearhead the development and deployment of 6G technology, promising unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity. Shri Sanjeev Kumar Bidwai, Sp DGT, Tamil Nadu was among those present at the occasion.


Secretary (Telecom) emphasized that the final selected proposals will be categorized into groups based on their thematic & technical similarities, and in order to foster collaboration and maximize the impact of the R&D efforts in 6G technology, a comprehensive three-day workshop will be organized for the selected proposals. This workshop will bring all the proposers together at a single location, enabling them to synergize their research and development activities, share insights, and work towards common goals. The initiative aims to create a cohesive and coordinated effort in advancing 6G technology, ensuring that all projects benefit from collective expertise and resources.

A hub for innovation

The center will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together academic and industry experts to collaborate on cutting-edge projects. This collaborative environment will foster the development of new applications and services that leverage 6G's capabilities. The center will play a crucial role in shaping the standards and infrastructure for 6G networks worldwide.

This center will also facilitate interconnect between the existing 5G Test Bed at IIT Madras which was developed indigenously through a collaborative project involving eight institutes and funded by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications. The 5G Test Bed was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2022, and has since been used extensively by industry and academia for testing new 5G products and use-cases.

“Bharat 6G Vision”

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had released India’s 6G Vision “Bharat 6G Vision” document on March 23, 2023, which envisaged India to be a front-line contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.

Bharat 6G Vision is based on principles of Affordability, Sustainability and Ubiquity. It ensures that India takes its rightful place in the world as a leading supplier of advanced telecom technologies and solutions that are affordable and contribute to the global good.

The 6th Generation or 6G Technology has been named ‘IMT 2030’ by ITU, the specialized agency for Information and Communication Technologies of United Nations. The term International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) is the generic term used by the ITU community to designate broadband mobile systems. The recommendation of ITU for 6G Framework, approved on June 22, 2023; will serve as foundation document for 6G research and development and will pave way for development of 6G Technology worldwide.

The IMT-2030 framework highlights sustainability, security, and resilience, connecting the unconnected, and ubiquitous intelligence as overarching aspects which act as design principles commonly applicable to all usage scenarios. The framework identifies 15 capabilities for 6G technology, nine of which will be enhanced from existing 5G capabilities, including security and resilience, latency, mobility, connection density, peak data rate, and spectrum efficiency.

Department of Telecommunication has funded two next generation testbeds to advance the 6G research. Under the Bharat 6G Vision, DoT is already evaluating 470 proposals on “Accelerated research on 6G Ecosystem”.

Secretary (T) inaugurates centre of excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at IITM Research Park, Chennai

 

[Gautam]

In a recent expo IIT Madras showcased the link speed of the Bharat 6G THz test bed terminal.

 

[Gautam]

India enters top league globally in filing 6G tech patents

As per industry experts, for India to become a deep-tech leader, penetration of both wireline and intelligent wireless broadband networks, with reliable connectivity, is critical.

By IANS
Updated On Oct 14, 2024, at 11:55 AM IST


New Delhi: After successfully deploying 5G across the nation in record time, India is fast advancing on 6G technology, and now ranks in the top
league when it comes to filing patents related to 6G.

The country now ranks among top six in global 6G patent filings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged India to be a front-line contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.

Under the 'Bharat 6G Vision', the government is already evaluating 470 proposals on 'Accelerated research on 6G Ecosystem'. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has funded two next-generation testbeds to advance the 6G research.

According to a government-led panel, India can achieve a share of 10 per cent of all 6G patents along with one-sixth contributions to global standards in the next three years. The country has already launched various initiatives like 'Bharat 6G Vision' and 'Bharat 6G Alliance', along with the patent and IPR support framework and commissioning of testbeds.

As per industry experts, for India to become a deep-tech leader, penetration of both wireline and intelligent wireless broadband networks, with reliable connectivity, is critical.

World telecom leader, experts and academia from more than 190 countries are set to attend the 10-day World Telecom Standardization Assembly (WTSA2024) in India from October 14-24. The 'WTSA 2024' is being held for the first time in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) history of 150 years in the national capital from October 14-24.

According to DoT, India hosting the 'WTSA-2024' is an opportunity to influence the global telecom agenda as we prepare for advancements like 6G and beyond. Now, the DoT has set the ball rolling by launching the WTSA 2024 Outreach Sessions.

Scheduled in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the outreach sessions aim to provide a distinctive platform to students for learning and direct engagement with industry experts, fostering meaningful interactions and knowledge exchange.

India enters top league globally in filing 6G tech patents - ET Telecom

 

[Gautam]

Is India 6G ready?

16 October 2024/Macro

In today’s Finshots, we dive into India’s big plans for 6G and what it will take to achieve the government’s ambitious goals.​

The Story

A few days ago, Elon Musk once again dazzled the world by unveiling some futuristic tech — driverless cars and humanoid robots that seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie. But these technologies are real, and they’re coming sooner than you might think. The potential is enormous too, from cars driving themselves to robots doing human tasks, and the future looks increasingly like one where machines and humans interact seamlessly.

But let’s pause for a moment. Why are we talking about Tesla’s innovations here?

Because none of this futuristic tech can exist on a large scale without one crucial element - networks. Super-fast, reliable networks capable of handling huge amounts of data.

And that’s where 6G comes in.

You’re probably familiar with 5G — maybe you’re even using it right now. But 6G? Well, that’s about to take things to a whole new level. While 5G is still rolling out, 6G is expected to be fully deployed by 2030, promising 100 times faster speeds and near-zero lag in connection (called network latency). So, we’re talking about a world where AI-driven machines and entire smart cities operate in perfect harmony.

And that brings us to India.

Turns out, India has some pretty big ambitions when it comes to 6G. We rank in the top six globally for filing 6G patents. And the government has set a bold target — to secure 10% of global 6G patents in the next three years.

And patents do matter a lot in this context. Think of it this way. Owning patents in 6G is like holding the keys to the future. It allows countries and companies to set global standards, charge licensing fees, and even influence how the technology develops. So, for India, securing these patents is about shaping the very infrastructure that will drive the next wave of technological innovation.

It also wants to contribute one-sixth of global 6G standards by 2027. To make this happen, the government launched the Bharat 6G Alliance, a network of stakeholders driving research and development. The vision is to create a nine-year mission (from 2022 to 2031) to fund 6G in three phases, and lead to field trials and global standard contributions in the next few years.

But the big question remains: Is India really ready to lead the 6G race?

To answer that, let’s start with a simple explanation of what 6G really is.

Imagine 5G as a motorcycle — it’s fast, efficient and pretty cool. But 6G? That’s a jet plane. It’s 100 times faster than 5G and designed to support everything from AI-powered robots to holographic communication and autonomous vehicles. So it’s not just about faster internet speeds; it’s about creating a world where everything is connected in real-time. Or in simple terms, a world where remote-controlled factories, self-driving cars, and smart wearables that communicate with your senses will be the norm.

But all this tech needs infrastructure, research and a highly skilled workforce to back it up.

And here’s where things get tricky for India.

See, building a 6G network isn’t just about flipping a switch. It requires massive investments in infrastructure. While India has made impressive strides in rolling out 5G, we’re still not fully prepared for 6G. Right now, India has about 4.5 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) from over 29 lakh BTSs in total. This infrastructure connects mobile devices to cellular networks. But for 6G, we’ll need a whole new level of infrastructure — fiber optics, satellites and technology that can handle higher frequencies.

Then there’s the issue of research and development. For 6G, the Indian government has allocated ₹10,000 crores for 6G research over the next decade. That’s a decent start, but when you compare it to the ₹38,000 crores ($4.5 billion) committed by Japan and the US, it seems relatively small. And let’s not forget China, where the telecom giant Huawei started work on 6G in 2019 and spent over $22 billion on R&D in 2021 alone. So, India is going to need to step up its R&D game if it wants to stay competitive. Because it’s not just about building infrastructure but also about developing the cutting-edge tech that will power 6G.

But perhaps the biggest hurdle is the skills gap. Building and maintaining a 6G network requires a workforce of highly trained engineers, AI specialists, and telecom experts. And right now, India’s education system isn’t fully equipped to produce the talent needed for this massive leap in technology. Although we have about 1.5 million engineering graduates every year, 48% of those remain unemployed. And that leads to the talent migrating to better tech enabled countries. That also explains the highest rate of economic migration of the workforce in the world. So, the bottom line is that we’ll need to focus on upskilling our workforce. And we’ll need to do it fast.

There’s also the issue of sustainability. Since most of the 6G supporting communication devices will be battery-powered, they can have a huge carbon footprint. So, as India pushes for carbon neutrality by 2070, balancing the energy demands of 6G with our sustainability goals is going to be a major challenge.

And then there’s cybersecurity. With faster networks come more sophisticated cyberattacks. As 6G rolls out, India will need to significantly ramp up its cybersecurity measures. Otherwise, we could face a wave of data breaches, fraud and other cyber threats that will put citizens at risk.

So, where does all of this leave us, you ask?

India’s progress in 6G patents is promising, but we still have a long way to go. A 2021 study by Japan’s Nikkei and Cyber Creative Institute revealed that China held 40% of 6G patents, while the US held 35%. India, meanwhile, accounted for just 1.5%. That’s a big gap.

On top of that, China also leads in setting global standards for 6G technology. India, by comparison, is lagging behind. For context, if a country wants to shape the future of 6G, it can't just sit on the sidelines. It needs to be part of the technical committees and subcommittees of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which brings together standard bodies from 160 countries. And a Geneva Internet Platform study found that as of 2021, India was only part of 400 such committees, while China was involved in 732.

So, does this mean that India’s 6G dreams are doomed?

Not quite. Because 6G is crucial for India’s future. It will power smart cities, automated industries and revolutionize sectors like healthcare and education for the world’s most populous nation.

Besides, don’t forget that 6G will be built on the infrastructure and capacity established by 5G networks. And India has been on fire with its 5G rollout, setting up over 4,00,000 stations in the first 15 months which is faster than any other country. The excitement is clear, with telecom giants like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio gearing up for the 6G era. Even new players, like Adani Network, are stepping in through telecom spectrum auctions, ready to join the action.

Public-private partnerships will also be key to accelerating 6G development, and India has already started collaborating with nations and experts on this front.

So yeah, India’s ambitions for 6G are bold, but filing patents and setting targets is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly claim a seat at the global 6G table, the foundational bits — skilled labor, cutting-edge infrastructure and strong R&D, need to fall into place.

The numbers show progress. Mobile connections in India have skyrocketed from 904 million to 1.16 billion, broadband users have jumped from 60 million to 924 million and the fiber optic network has expanded from 11 million to 41 million kilometers. So, India seems to be on the right track.

But it’s not just about the scale. It’s about how quickly we adapt.

We’ve still got about six years until 2030, the year when 6G is expected to roll out. And if India’s rapid adoption of 4G and 5G is any indication, we just might find ourselves leading the charge when the 6G curtain rises.

And we hope to see that in reality in 2030.

Until next time…

Is India 6G ready?

 

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia Inaugurates International 6G Symposium

Bharat 6G Alliance Expands Global Collaboration with Key MoUs Signed at the Symposium

“Bharat 6G Alliance will play a constructive role in the standards-making process for 6G.”: Shri Scindia​

Posted On: 16 OCT 2024 7:52PM by PIB Delhi

Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon'ble Minister of Communications and Development of North-Eastern Region, inaugurated the International 6G Symposium today at the sidelines of ITU-WTSA24 and IMC 24.

Addressing the inaugural event, Minister Scindia highlighted the transformative potential of 6G, emphasizing its role in driving economic growth and technological innovation. "As 6G standards evolve, the shift towards software-centric technology presents a significant opportunity for India, with our large pool of engineering and software talent" he said.

Shri Scindia also added that, "Bharat 6G Alliance will play a constructive role in the standards-making process for 6G and 10% of 6G Patents will come from India."


While talking about India's growing image of becoming a Vishwa Bandhu, Minister Scindia shared that, "As the Voice of the Global South, India will continue to advocate for technology that is inclusive and affordable for all."

The event, organized by the Bharat 6G Alliance, marks a crucial milestone in India's journey towards global leadership in 6G technology. The Bharat 6G Alliance is a collaborative initiative of Indian industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organizations. It brings together various stakeholders to foster innovation, standardization, and research in the field of 6G telecommunications and to contribute to global 6G standards through bodies like the ITU and 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project).

Highlighting India’s immense potential in the 6G landscape Shri Scindia reiterated India’s ambition to lead the global 6G ecosystem through the Bharat 6G Alliance. “While we actively contributed to the global 5G landscape, our aspiration now is to lead the world in 6G development, with strong international collaboration," he added.

The symposium began with a welcome address by Mr. N. G. Subramaniam (NGS), Chair of the Bharat 6G Alliance, Chairperson of Tata Elxsi, and Chairperson of Tejas Networks. “India is actively collaborating with industry, academia, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to shape the future, one that empowers people on a large scale,” said Mr. Subramaniam.

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary Telecom, delivered the keynote address, stressing the importance of developing 6G infrastructure to position India as a global frontrunner in telecommunications. He emphasized the need for India to build robust 6G infrastructure and foster public-private partnerships to maintain a leading position in the global telecommunications sector. "Developing a skilled workforce and collaborating with global academic institutions will be critical as we implement 6G over the next 6-8 years," he said.

The Bharat 6G Alliance(B6GA) signed various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with global collaborators, NGMN Alliance (Next Generation Mobile Network Alliance), 5G ACIA (5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation), Germany, UKI-FIN (UK- India Future Networks Initiative) & UK TIN (UK Telecom Innovations Networks), 6G Forum (South Korea), 6G Brasil (Brazil). B6GA has already forged alliance with NextG Alliance of ATIS USA, 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G IA), European Council and 6G Flagship- Oulu University.



B6GA has constituted 7 working groups deliberating specific areas of 6G, including spectrum, device technologies, use cases, standards, green and sustainability, RAN and core networks, AI and sensing, and security. Today’s event saw the release of reports by working groups on Applications, Spectrum, 6G Use Cases & Revenue Streams and Green & Sustainability.

Earlier in the day, Sh Scindia had a breakfast meeting with CEO’s & leaders of prominent telecom companies including BSNL, C-DOT, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, AMD, HFCL, Cisco Qualcomm India, GSMA and Viasat. The Minister urged industry leaders to deliberate on issues related to Data Centers and Home BB/FFTH, AI/Gen AI, TMZ, Spamming, Responsible Behaviour, Social Inclusion and Sustainability with a key objective to form actionable points to take India into the next level of telecommunications.

In addition, a workshop was separately held with the academicians of 5G Use Case Labs by National Communications Academy, Department of Telecommunication, Ghaziabad and was attended by over 100 participants from premier 100 academic institutions, across the country. Deliberations were held on applications and development of new use cases for 5G in industries, healthcare, smart grids, agriculture & education sectors, etc. and the possible network transformation with emerging technologies, etc.


The workshop also focused to disseminate information about the global standards development by ITU and opportunities for the Academicians to participate in ITU Standardization activities. The workshop chaired by Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, DG NCA and panellists included Prof Rohit Budhiraja (IIT Kanpur), Prof Chandra Murthy (IISc), Prof Sunil Jha(IIT D), Prof Dinesh Bharadia (University of California, San Diego), Mr. Thomas Basikola(ITU),Niels Koenig(FIPT, Germany), Mr Bharat Bhatia, CEO, IAFI. Speakers from DoT, RJIO, Niral Networks, Rebaca Technologies and other premier Academic Institutes, Telecom Service Providers & Industries from India and abroad and International Telecommunication Union also participated.

These discussions and developments are part of the side events of the ongoing WTSA 24 & IMC-24 being held in New Delhi. The event marks the beginning of a new chapter in India’s digital journey, reinforcing the country's commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced communication technologies.

About WTSA 2024:

WTSA 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), serves as a platform for the development and implementation of global telecommunications standards, uniting regulators, industry leaders, and policymakers to shape the future of communications worldwide.

Union Minister Sh Jyotiraditya M Scindia Inaugurates International 6G Symposium

 

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

Telecom Diplomacy in Action: Bharat 6G Alliance forms Strategic Partnership with 6G IA of Europe and 6G Flagship of Oulu University, Finland to Drive 6G Innovations

Alliance set to benefit from wealth of international expertise and cutting-edge research to build world-class telecom ecosystem​

Posted On: 20 JUN 2024 8:33PM by PIB Delhi

Leveraging its telecom diplomacy, Department of Telecommunications [DoT], Ministry of Communications, has been establishing strategic international partnerships and collaborations to build a world-class telecom ecosystem to enhance global connectivity and position India as a global leader in digital innovation and infrastructure.



In another step towards redefining the future of global communication, the Bharat 6G Alliance has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G IA) and 6G Flagship- Oulu University. This is in continuation of already concluded MoU with NextG Alliance of USA. These MoUs with 6G IA and Oulu University will further enable development of secure and trusted telecommunication technology including resilient supply chains. Under the Bharat 6G Vision, DoT is already evaluating 470 proposals on “Accelerated research on 6G”.

These strategic partnerships are important steps on this journey towards achieving India's vision of empowering society through sustainable and advanced telecommunications while contributing to the global 6G ecosystem.

The Memorandum of Understanding will provide India with the opportunity to:

• Connect EU and Indian R&D companies, academia, and research institutions,
• Align research and development efforts in 6G and related technologies,
• Promote joint research initiatives,
• Conduct pilots of 6G technologies and use cases,
• Collaborate on 6G technology development and contribute to standardization efforts at global forums.

Telecom Diplomacy has helped DoT attract new business ventures, forge partnerships with global leaders, nurture domestic startups, demonstrate India's commitment to driving innovation and securing its leadership position in the global telecommunications landscape.



The Bharat 6G Alliance(B6GA) is an initiative of Indian industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organizations. Its purpose is aligned with the Bharat 6G Mission of the Government to design, develop and deploy technology and innovations that provide an intelligent and secure solution for high-quality living experience of citizens in India and across the world. The Bharat 6G Vision manifesto was released last year, aiming to make India a leading supplier of advanced telecom technologies in line with the objectives of Viksit Bharat.

The 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) is the voice of European Industry and Research for next generation networks and services. The 6G-IA carries out a wide range of activities in strategic areas including standardization, frequency spectrum, R&D projects, technology skills, collaboration with key vertical industry sectors, notably for the development of trials, and international cooperation.

The 6G Flagship programme is a world-leading research initiative funded by the University of Oulu and the Research Council of Finland. It aims to develop key 6G technology components, establish a comprehensive 6G Test Centre, and drive the societal digitisation of the 2030s through ground-breaking 6G research and innovation.



Telecom Diplomacy in Action: Bharat 6G Alliance forms Strategic Partnership with 6G IA of Europe and 6G Flagship of Oulu University, Finland to Drive 6G Innovations

 

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

C-DOT signs agreement with IIT, Roorkee and Mandi for “Development of ‘Cell-Free’ 6G Access Points”

It aims to enhance connectivity, signal strength and data speeds; to contribute 6G standardization, patents and commercialization

Project is in-line with ‘Bharat 6G vision’ that aims to establish India as global leader in 6G technology, driving innovation, connectivity and digital inclusion​

Posted On: 24 JUL 2024 12:45PM by PIB Delhi

In a significant step towards developing Indigenous technology, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a premier Telecom R&D center of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi (IIT Mandi), for the development of ‘Cell-Free’ 6G Access Points. Both the IITs are collaborating to develop this technology.

The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, which has been designed for providing funding support to domestic companies, Indian startups, academia and R&D institutions involved in technology design, development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions. This scheme aims to enable affordable broadband and mobile services, playing a significant role in bridging the digital divide across India.

Traditional mobile networks use cellular topologies in which each cell is serviced by a single base station like 4G/5G to service mobile customers. ‘Cell-Free’ Massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output) eliminates the idea of cells and cell boundaries by deploying several access points (APs) across a vast region to serve many user devices at the same time. A large number of APs are dedicated to each user within their coverage area, meaning a single user may be supported by many APs. This ensures ubiquitous connectivity to the users, eliminates dead zones, enhances signal strength, and significantly boosts data speeds, offering an exceptional user experience even in densely populated areas.

This 6G project will focus on developing APs for enabling the upcoming 6G radio access networks and also aims to contribute to the 6G standardization activity, drive commercialization, generate intellectual property rights (IPRs), and develop a skilled workforce to support the emerging 6G landscape.


Agreement signing ceremony between C-DOT and IIT Roorkee & IIT Mandi

The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by CEO, C-DOT - Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, principal investigator – Dr Abhay Kumar Sah from IIT Roorkee, co-investigator – Dr Adarsh Patel from IIT Mandi and Director C-DOT, Dr Pankaj Kumar Dalela.

At the event, Dr Sah and Dr Patel affirmed their dedication to advancing next-generation communication technologies, aligning with Bharat 6G Vision launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. They expressed their gratitude to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and C-DOT for the opportunity to collaborate on this research, emphasizing that it bolsters efforts to enhance cutting-edge research capabilities and infrastructure in the telecom sector.

Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT underscored the key role of indigenously designed & developed technologies in meeting the specific requirements of communication for our diverse country, reaffirming the commitment towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. He also said this will help us generating IPRs in 6G domain and emerging technologies in the area of 6G.

The C-DOT, IIT-Roorkee & IIT-Mandi representatives expressed their enthusiasm and commitment to this collaborative endeavour on developing and shaping the 6G vision of India.

C-DOT signs agreement with IIT, Roorkee and Mandi for “Development of ‘Cell-Free’ 6G Access Points”

 

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

India’s 6G vision “Bharat 6G Vision” document envisages India to be a frontline contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030

6G Spectrum Technology​

Posted On: 11 DEC 2024 4:08PM by PIB Delhi

Currently, the 6G technology is under development phase at international level and is expected to be available by 2030. Hon’ble Prime Minister has released India’s 6G vision “Bharat 6G Vision” document on March 23, 2023, which envisaged India to be a frontline contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030. Bharat 6G Vision is based on principles of affordability, sustainability and ubiquity. Also, Department of Telecom has facilitated setting up of ‘Bharat 6G Alliance’ which is an alliance of domestic industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organizations to develop action plan according to the Bharat 6G Vision.

The frequency bands 4400-4800 MHz, 7125-8400 MHz (or parts thereof), and 14.8-15.35 GHz are being studied in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the use of international Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). Based on the outcome of these studies, a decision on identification of these bands for IMT use will be taken at World Radio communication Conference in year 2027. These frequency bands are to be considered for 'IMT2030', also known as '6G'.

Presently the 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz & 26 GHz are identified for IMT based services in this country. The TSPs who have acquired spectrum in these bands after paying the auction determined price can deploy any technology including 2G/3G/4G/5G/6G, based on the availability of device ecosystem.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr.Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

India’s 6G vision “Bharat 6G Vision” document envisages India to be a frontline contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030

 

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

C-DOT and IIT Delhi sign agreement for “Building Blocks for THz Communication Front Ends” for 6G​

Posted On: 14 JAN 2025 9:45PM by PIB Delhi

In the on-going process of developing indigenous hardware for next-generation telecommunications technology 6G, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) for the development of "Building Blocks for THz Communication Front Ends" for 6G.

The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) 6G Call for proposal of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. This call for proposal is for accelerated research on developing 6G Eco-system, as part of the the Bharat 6G vision to design, develop and deploy 6G network technologies that provide ubiquitous intelligent and secure connectivity for high quality living experience.

The aim of this project is the development of basic devices and components which are essential for THz systems envisaged for 6G communications, as well as other THz systems such as military communications and material characterization. With the recent program on setting up of chip fabrication facilities in India, this project is being initiated to develop some of the core components at IIT Delhi facilities, in association with SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research) Kolkata. This work will seamlessly lead to the fabrication of THz components at the production level. C-DOT is the implementing agency for this project.



The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT, Prof. Ananjan Basuthe principal investigator from IIT Delhi, along with the Directors of C-DOT - Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dalela and Ms. Shikha Srivastava.

CEO, C-DOT - Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay stated this to be a significant step towards Prime Minister's Bharat 6G Vision by fostering innovation and paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in communication technology. He reiterated that this collaboration will lead to transformative outcomes.

Prof. Basuemphasized that his team is fully committed for contributing to the development of next-generation communication6G technology and also thanked C-DOT for this opportunity of research collaboration which strengthens objective of promoting cutting-edge research capabilities and infrastructure in the telecom sector under “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

C-DoT team expressed its commitment and support for this endeavour on developing microelectronic THz components for 6G communications entirely within India for the first time.

C-DOT and IIT Delhi sign agreement for “Building Blocks for THz Communication Front Ends” for 6G

 

[Gautam]

Ministry of Communications

C-DOT and IIT Bombay sign agreement for “Optical Transceiver Chipset for High-Bandwidth 6G Wireless Links”​

Posted On: 16 JAN 2025 7:12PM by PIB Delhi

In the on-going process of developing indigenous hardware for next-generation telecommunications technology, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) for the development of " Optical Transceiver Chipset for High-Bandwidth 6G Wireless Links”.

The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) 6G Call for proposal from the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. This call for proposal is for accelerated research on 6G Eco-system, to lead in the design, development, and deployment of 6G technology by 2030 on the pillars of Affordability, Sustainability, and Ubiquity.

The aim of the project is to develop chipset for high-bandwidth free-space coherent optical links. These links are meant for 6G applications including last mile high-speed terrestrial connectivity in rural areas, and in terrains where deployment / laying out of optical fibres becomes a challenge. The objective is also to develop solutions for providing uninterrupted high bandwidth communication links to remote areas via satellites.



The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, the CEO, C-DOT, Prof. Shalabh Gupta, the principal investigator from IIT Bombay along with the Directors of C-DOT - Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dalela and Ms. Shikha Srivastava.

At the event, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT, underscored the key role of indigenously designed & developed technologies in meeting the specific requirements of communication in our diverse country, reaffirming the commitment towards fulfilling the vision of our Honourable Prime on “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and Bharat 6G.

Prof. Shalabh Gupta, Principal investigator from IIT Bombay, expressed gratitude to DOT and C-DOT for the opportunity to collaborate on this research, emphasizing that it bolsters efforts to enhance cutting-edge research capabilities and infrastructure in the telecom sector.

C-DOT and IIT Bombay sign agreement for “Optical Transceiver Chipset for High-Bandwidth 6G Wireless Links”