India’s Remarkable Ascent: Charting a Bold Path to Global 6G Leadership

India is rapidly positioning itself as a formidable force in the global telecommunications arena, specifically in the race towards next-generation 6G technology. This ambitious journey was recently underscored by Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, during a pivotal review of progress in Bengaluru. His visit highlighted India’s strategic commitment to not just participate, but to lead the worldwide development of 6G, marking a significant shift in the nation’s technological standing.

Driving India’s 6G Leadership: A Visionary Approach

At the heart of this transformative endeavor is the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), a collaborative powerhouse of researchers, industry stalwarts, and international partners. Minister Scindia chaired a crucial meeting with this alliance, laying out a comprehensive roadmap designed to propel India to the forefront of telecom innovation. For the first time in its history, India is actively shaping global telecom standards, a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision centered on ‘Anusandhan’ (research), ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance), and the ‘Make in India – Make for the World’ initiative. This proactive stance is a game-changer, ensuring India’s voice is heard and its innovations contribute directly to the future of global connectivity.

The scale of India’s ambition in 6G leadership is impressive. The nation has set an audacious goal to contribute a substantial 10 percent of global 6G patents. This objective is bolstered by a significant investment of Rs 239 crore in Research and Development (R&D), distributed across 111 projects. Such dedicated funding underscores the government’s serious commitment to fostering a fertile ground for innovation and breakthrough discoveries in the 6G domain.

Indigenous Strength: A Cornerstone of India’s 6G Leadership

A key pillar supporting India’s march towards 6G leadership is its burgeoning indigenous manufacturing and development capabilities. The Minister proudly noted that an astounding 99 percent of mobile phones sold in India are now manufactured domestically. Furthermore, telecom equipment import substitution has reached an impressive 60 percent, drastically reducing reliance on foreign technologies. Critically, India has successfully developed its own indigenous 4G and 5G stacks, proving its capacity for self-sufficient technological advancement. These achievements collectively position India as a formidable frontrunner, not just in adopting, but in creating and shaping future telecom technologies. This self-reliance forms a robust foundation for India’s 6G leadership.

The Bharat 6G Alliance: Fueling India’s 6G Leadership Mission

Minister Scindia lauded the Bharat 6G Alliance, metaphorically describing it as “a group with the capability akin to a million GPUs put together.” This vibrant ecosystem comprises seven expert working groups and over 80 active members, transforming the Alliance into a dynamic hub of innovation and global collaboration. During an interactive session, the Minister passionately urged all stakeholders—from researchers to industry leaders—to embrace ownership of the 6G mission. He reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s philosophy that in ‘New India,’ the government serves as an enabler, not a directive force, empowering stakeholders to drive progress.

To maintain momentum and ensure impactful execution, Minister Scindia called for a clearly defined 3-4 year roadmap for 6G leadership, meticulously broken down into monthly targets. This ambitious plan will be subject to bi-annual reviews, ensuring consistent progress and adaptability. Such a structured approach is vital for navigating the complexities of advanced technological development and achieving the desired milestones on time.

From Knowledge Destination to Telecom Superpower: The Evolution of India’s 6G Leadership

The Minister emphasized that the Bharat 6G Alliance must evolve into a comprehensive ecosystem builder. Its primary role is to facilitate India’s transition from being merely a knowledge-sharing destination to a global telecom superpower. This strategic shift is crucial for cementing India’s 6G leadership on the world stage. This latest engagement followed the inaugural joint meeting with all seven working groups of the Alliance in September 2024, also chaired by the Minister.

These working groups are meticulously structured to cover every critical aspect necessary for a robust and future-ready 6G ecosystem in India. Their domains include:

• Spectrum: Ensuring optimal allocation and utilization of frequencies for 6G.
• Technology: Driving innovation in core 6G technologies and architectural frameworks.
• Devices: Developing next-generation devices compatible with 6G networks.
• Use Cases: Identifying and exploring practical applications and services that 6G will enable.
• Green and Sustainability: Integrating environmentally conscious practices into 6G development and deployment.
• Applications: Fostering the creation of diverse applications leveraging 6G capabilities.
• Outreach: Promoting global collaboration and partnerships for India’s 6G leadership.

Through these concerted efforts, India is not just envisioning a future of 6G connectivity but is actively building the infrastructure, fostering the innovation, and leading the global discussions necessary to achieve its vision of comprehensive 6G leadership. The nation’s proactive approach, combined with indigenous strength and collaborative alliances, positions it remarkably well to emerge as a dominant force in the next era of telecommunications.