Central idea: Despite over 45,000 Indian villages lacking 4G connectivity and ongoing efforts to build out 5G networks, the Indian government has set its sights on 6G.

Why in news?

• On March 22, PM Modi unveiled the Bharat 6G Vision Document, aimed at gearing up policymakers and the industry for the next generation of telecommunications.

What is 6G?

• 6G is the next generation of wireless telecommunications technology, which is expected to offer significantly faster data speeds, higher bandwidth, and lower latency than 5G.
• It is still in the development stage, and its commercial rollout is not expected for several years.
• However, many countries, including India, are already working on developing 6G technology and setting standards for its implementation.

Differences between 6G and 5G

• While 6G will offer faster loading times, improved video quality, and faster downloads, like every new generation of technology, it is unclear how much better it will be.
• With latency already at the speed of light on existing networks, the benefits of 6G will depend on how different groups plan to use the spectrum.
• Satellite constellations will join telecom towers and base stations, integrating networks and extending them to rural areas.

Motivations for pursuing 6G

• Encourage local industry: The Indian government hopes to encourage local manufacturing of telecom gear and support Indian companies and engineers in international discussions around standardization.
• Avoid delay unlike 5G: India aims to avoid the delay in previous generations of telecommunications technology, which started rolling out in India years after countries like South Korea and the United States.
• Increased connectivity: Additionally, the lower frequency in 4G networks may not be able to keep up with the demand for traffic with increasing data usage, making 6G a necessity.

Government Plans for 6G

• The Indian government plans to financially support “research pathways” to advance connectivity goals and establish an “apex body”.
• India’s 6G goals include-

1. Guaranteeing every citizen a minimum bandwidth of 100Mbps
2. Ensuring every gram panchayat has half TB (terabyte) per second of connectivity, and
3. Providing over 50 million internet hotspots with thirteen per square kilometre.

Roadmap for 6G in India

• The government plans to implement 6G in two phases.

1. Phase 1 will support explorative ideas, risky pathways, and proof-of-concept tests.
2. Phase 2 will support ideas and concepts that show promise for global acceptance, leading to commercialisation.

• It would appoint an apex council to oversee the project and deal with standardisation, identification of spectrum, finances for research and development, and more
• The council will finance research and development of 6G technologies by Indian start-ups, companies, research bodies, and universities.
• Key focus of the council will be on new technologies such as Terahertz communication, radio interfaces, tactile internet, and artificial intelligence.
• Bharat 6G Mission aligns with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and aims to make India a leading supplier of advanced telecom technologies that are affordable and contribute to the global good.

Approaches to 6G in Other Countries

• South Korea plans significant investments in 6G technology development, with a focus on laying the ground for key original technologies and domestic production of core equipment and components.
• Countries are also starting to work together, with Japan and Germany planning a workshop to work on everything from “fundamental technologies to demonstrations.”
• Europe’s equivalent of the Indian 6G Vision Document emphasizes leadership in strategic areas and establishing secure and trusted access to key technologies.

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