India Gears Up For 6G: Vision Document, R&D Test Bed For 6G Launched By PM Modi

In a big boost to India's innovation ecosystem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (22 March) launched the indigenous research and development (R&D) test bed for 6G, the next generation technology for wireless communication.

PM Modi launched the 6G test bed during the inauguration of the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office and Innovation Centre in India at a programme in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

ITU - a United Nations' specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs) - is headquartered in Geneva and has a vast network of field, regional and area offices.

Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, ITU allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.

The ITU Area Office in India also envisaged to have an Innovation Centre embedded to it, making it unique among other area offices of ITU.

The Area Office, which is fully funded by India, is located on the second floor of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) building at Mehrauli New Delhi. It will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran, enhancing coordination among nations and fostering mutually beneficial economic cooperation in the region.

Bharat 6G vision document is prepared by Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G) that was constituted in November 2021 with members from various ministries/departments, research and development institutions, academia, standardisation bodies, telecom service providers and industry to develop roadmap and action plans for 6G in India.

Meanwhile, the 6G Test bed will provide academic institutions, industry, start-ups, MSMEs etc, a platform to test and validate the evolving information and communication technologies.

The 6G testbed is being co-developed by a consortium of various Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), including those in Guwahati and Madras.

The Prime Minister's Office in a statement said that the Bharat 6G Vision Document and 6G test bed will provide an enabling environment for innovation, capacity building and faster technology adoption in the country.