India Aims for 10% of 6G Patents by 2030, Forms Bharat 6G Alliance

Indian Government Forms Bharat 6G Alliance to Drive Innovation

The Indian Department of Telecommunications has announced the establishment of the Bharat 6G Alliance, a collaborative effort between industry leaders and academia. The alliance aims to facilitate innovation in the next generation of wireless technology, specifically 6G.

This initiative comes as part of the government's ambitious plan to secure 10% of global 6G patents by 2030, while also targeting the launch of the 6G network within the same timeframe.

TCS COO to Lead the Bharat 6G Alliance

N Ganapathy Subramaniam, Chief Operating Officer of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has been appointed as the leader of the Bharat 6G Alliance. With his extensive experience and expertise in the technology sector, Subramaniam will play a crucial role in guiding the alliance towards achieving its objectives of driving innovation and securing 6G patents for India.

Strategic Approach to 6G Development

Union Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that the Bharat 6G Alliance is a collaborative effort between industry, academia, and the government to ensure a methodical and systematic approach to 6G development.

By fostering coordination and integration, the alliance aims to establish India's presence on the global telecommunications map and contribute significantly to the advancement of 6G technology.

Ambitious Patent Acquisition Goal

India has already acquired over 200 patents related to 6G technology, with the number steadily increasing each week. To further enhance its position in the global 6G landscape, the government has set a minimum target of securing 10% of global 6G intellectual property rights (IPR) by 2029 or 2030. This goal demonstrates India's commitment to being at the forefront of 6G innovation and intellectual property creation.

Broad Representation in the Alliance

The Bharat 6G Alliance comprises 15 members, including prominent industry figures and representatives from leading organizations. Alongside N Ganapathy Subramaniam, the alliance includes executives such as Jagbir Singh (CTO of Vodafone Idea), Rajkumar Upadhyay (CEO of C-DoT), Kumar N Sivarajan (CTO of Tejas Networks), Jagdish Mitra (Chief Strategy Officer of Tech Mahindra), and Ayush Bhatnagar (SVP of Jio). This diverse representation ensures a comprehensive and collaborative approach to 6G development.

Focus Areas and 6G Advancements

The initial discussions within the alliance will prioritize the development of highly differentiated experiences for sectors like health and education. Additionally, the alliance will explore innovative ways to consume entertainment content and increase productivity across various domains.

These focus areas align with the overarching goal of 6G to provide reliable, affordable solutions with speeds nearly 100 times faster than 5G.

Government Support and 6G Projects

The Indian government has approved substantial funding for 6G initiatives. Under the Telecom Technology Development Fund, Rs 240.5 crore has been allocated for two 6G projects: a 6G THz testbed with orbital angular momentum and multiplexing, and an advanced optical communication testbed. Furthermore, through the Digital Communication Innovation Square, grants totaling Rs 48 crore will be provided to support 66 startups and MSMEs in the field of digital communications.

Driving Intellectual Property Growth and Market Access

The primary objectives of the Bharat 6G Alliance include fostering the growth of 5G advanced and 6G intellectual properties (IPs) and essential patents from India, developing advanced 5G/6G products and solutions, supporting India's participation in the 3GPP standards, and enabling market access for startups. These efforts aim to position India as a global leader in 6G innovation and pave the way for future advancements in telecommunications technology.

Relevant facts about 6G:

• 6G is expected to have speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G.

• It will also have lower latency and be more energy efficient.

• 6G is expected to be used for a wide range of applications, including augmented reality, virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles.

• The first commercial 6G networks are not expected to be launched until 2027 or 2028.

Conclusion

The formation of the Bharat 6G Alliance marks a significant step in India's pursuit of becoming a leader in 6G technology. With the goal of securing 10% of global 6G patents by 2030, the alliance brings together industry leaders, academia, and the government to drive innovation and systematic development in this next generation wireless technology.

Led by TCS COO N Ganapathy Subramaniam, the alliance aims to coordinate efforts and ensure India's presence on the global telecommunications map.

The government's commitment to launching the 6G network by 2030, coupled with the acquisition of over 200 6G patents to date, underscores India's dedication to technological advancement.

By prioritizing differentiated experiences for sectors like health and education, entertainment consumption, and increased productivity, the alliance aims to shape the future of telecommunications in these areas.

The government's approval of funding for 6G projects and support for startups and MSMEs in the digital communications space further demonstrate its commitment to nurturing innovation and intellectual property growth.

The alliance's focus on driving 5G advanced and 6G intellectual properties, supporting standards participation, and enabling market access for startups aims to position India as a frontrunner in 6G technology.

Overall, the Bharat 6G Alliance represents a collaborative effort to propel India's 6G ambitions forward, with the aim of driving technological advancements, securing patents, and establishing India as a prominent player in the global 6G landscape.