Bengaluru (Aryavarth): The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recently unveiled the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), a dynamic platform intended to catalyze innovation and foster collaboration in the realm of next-generation wireless technology. As a joint initiative incorporating public and private companies, academia, research institutions, and standards development organizations, the alliance represents a bold stride towards a technologically advanced future.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, announced the formation of B6GA in an event also attended by Devusinh Chauhan, the Minister of State for Communications. The alliance will strive to create synergies with other 6G Global Alliances to encourage international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Furthering its commitment to support India’s burgeoning telecom sector, the DoT also signed two agreements under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) with a grant of Rs. 240.51 crore for the development of a 6G Terahertz (THz) Testbed with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) & Multiplexing and an Advanced Optical Communication Test Bed.
Under the Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS), the DoT granted Rs. 48 crore to 66 Startups and MSMEs, recognizing the vital role these entities play in India’s technological innovation landscape. Seventy-five Innovators were also honored by DoT for their groundbreaking contributions to the field.
Emphasizing India’s growing role in the global telecom sector, Devusinh Chauhan highlighted the country’s swift and successful 5G rollout, transparent spectrum auction of over Rs. 1.5 Lakh crore in a record 42 days, and the establishment of 2.70 lakh 5G sites in just nine months, one of the fastest rollouts in the world.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw further elaborated on the country’s technological strides over the past nine years, noting significant developments such as the reduction in data costs, a fourfold increase in BTS sites, a surge in FDI in the telecom sector, the expansion of India’s 4G footprint, and the installation of over 2.7 lakh 5G towers, solidifying India’s position among the top three 5G ecosystems globally.
The Bharat 6G Alliance aims to understand the commercial and societal needs of 6G beyond mere technological requirements and promotes open research and development initiatives with high impact. By accelerating standards-related patent creation and contributing to international standardization organizations, B6GA aims to propel India to the forefront of 6G innovation.
In addition to driving design, development, and deployment of 6G technologies in India, B6GA seeks to facilitate market access for Indian telecom technology products and services, thereby positioning the country as a global leader in 6G technology.
The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, launched by DoT/USOF on October 1, 2022, aims to bridge the digital divide by fostering the development and manufacturing of state-of-the-art technologies. The scheme encourages synergies among academia, startups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop a thriving telecom ecosystem.
By promoting technology ownership, indigenous manufacturing, technology co-innovation, export opportunities, and creation of Intellectual Property, these initiatives collectively signify a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in 6G technology and beyond.