The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) with the aim of driving the advancement of future wireless technology and positioning India as a global leader in 6G innovation. This article explores the objectives, goals, and significance of the alliance in fostering creativity, cooperation, and indigenous manufacturing.
Understanding Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)
The primary objective of the Bharat 6G Alliance is to go beyond technology requirements and understand the business and societal needs of 6G. By fostering consensus on these needs, the alliance aims to promote high-impact open research and development initiatives. B6GA brings together a diverse coalition of governmental entities, businesses, educational institutions, research organizations, and standardization bodies.
Driving Design, Development, and Deployment
B6GA aims to establish consortia comprising Indian startups, companies, and the manufacturing ecosystem. These consortia will drive the design, development, and deployment of 6G technologies in India. The alliance will focus on accelerating standards-related patent creation within the country and actively contributing to international standardization organizations such as 3GPP and ITU. This proactive involvement aims to position India at the forefront of 6G innovation.
Facilitating Market Access and Collaboration
One of the key goals of B6GA is to facilitate market access for Indian telecom technology products and services. By nurturing an ecosystem that supports the growth and adoption of 6G, India can emerge as a global leader in this transformative technology. The alliance also aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange by forging coalitions and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances, ensuring India’s participation in international 6G innovation and technology development.
Funding for 6G Technology Projects
To support the advancement of 6G technology, the government has allocated a grant of 240.51 crores through the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF). This funding will be utilized for two crucial projects: the 6G THz Testbed with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) & Multiplexing and the Advanced Optical Communication Test Bed. These projects, undertaken by esteemed institutions and research organizations, will contribute to the development of indigenous 6G technologies.
Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)
The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, launched by the DoT/Universal Service Obligation Fund, aims to bridge the digital divide by developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art technologies. The scheme fosters synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem. Through grants to Indian entities, the TTDF encourages indigenous technologies tailored to meet domestic needs and creates an ecosystem for research, design, and testing.
India’s Path to Global 6G Leadership
With the launch of the Bharat 6G Alliance, India demonstrates its commitment to emerging as a global leader in 6G technology and intellectual property rights (IPR). The alliance’s focus on collaboration, indigenous manufacturing, and technology co-innovation aligns with India’s vision of a digital and mobile-inclusive nation. By fostering creativity, cooperation, and research, the B6GA will accelerate India’s journey towards a technologically advanced and digitally empowered future.
