After taking a lead on the 5G front in terms of faster rollout of the network across the country, India is gearing up for sixth generation (6G) telecom network. In this regard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released ‘Bharat 6G Vision Document’ and launched 6G Test Bed. The 6G vision document will become a major basis for the 6G rollout in the next few years.
The PM also inaugurated the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office & Innovation Centre in India at a programme in Vigyan Bhawan on Wednesday. ITU is the United Nations’ specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). The new ITU India office will be serving countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Iran and Afghanistan. For the unaware, ITU is the United Nations agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs).
On this occasion, Modi said 6G Test Bed and the vision document will not only usher new energy in digital India but also provide solutions and innovations for the “Global South”.
Key things to know about 6G Vision Document
-The Bharat 6G vision document is prepared by technology innovation group on 6G that was constituted in November 2021. The group has members from various ministries/departments, research and development institutions, academia, standardisation bodies, telecom service providers and industry who will help develop roadmap and action plans for 6G in India.
– Bharat 6G vision document and 6G test bed will together provide an enabling environment for innovation, capacity building and faster technology adoption in the country.
– The Prime Minister underlined that 6G Test Bed and vision document will create new opportunities for India’s innovators, industries and startups.
– He also noted that this initiative will strengthen cooperation and collaboration in the IT sector of South Asian countries.
“Telecom technology for India is not a mode of power, but a mission to empower”, the Prime Minister said.
He said that digital technology is universal in India and accessible to everyone. Underlining that digital inclusion has happened on a large scale in India in the last few years, Modi mentioned that broadband connectivity had 60 million users in India before 2014 but that number has gone up to more than 800 million today.
He further added that the number of internet connections in India is more than 85 crores compared to 25 crores before 2014.
It is worth mentioning here that 6G’s commercial rollout is quite far away. 6G is likely to be rolled out at least after 5 years from now after 2028 or 2029. Currently, global telcos are focusing on 5G. India also started its 5G journey last year, and the telcos, including Airtel, Jio and Voda Idea, are making all efforts to ensure that India’s 5G rollout is the best in the world.
