In a momentous move aimed at propelling India’s technological advancement in the telecommunications sector, the Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, together with Shri Devusinh Chauhan, the Minister of State for Communications, announced the establishment of the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA).
Govt Announces Establishment of Bharat 6G Alliance
This collaborative platform, comprising public and private companies, academia, research institutions, and standards development organizations, intends to spearhead the development and deployment of 6G technology in India.
The inauguration of the Bharat 6G Alliance signifies the government’s dedication to achieving universal and affordable connectivity, fostering indigenous technology, and nurturing a robust telecom and semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
This initiative aligns with the visionary goals set forth by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and represents a significant stride towards positioning India as a leader in 6G technology.
The B6GA will serve as a catalyst for collaboration and knowledge exchange, forging partnerships and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances. This international cooperation will enable India to stay at the forefront of 6G innovation and technology development.
Government Allocates Grant of 240.51 Crores
To bolster 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 directed towards two critical projects: the 6G THz Testbed with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) & Multiplexing and the Advanced Optical Communication Test Bed.
The 6G THz Testbed project, undertaken by a consortium comprising SAMEER, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Patna, aims to explore the potential of 6G technology utilizing terahertz frequencies and advanced multiplexing techniques. This research endeavor will pave the way for the development of cutting-edge 6G applications and services.
In collaboration with IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi, and various industry players, the Advanced Optical Communication Test Bed project focuses on establishing an advanced test bed for optical communication technologies. This initiative will stimulate innovations in areas such as telemedicine and telesurgery, revolutionizing healthcare services in India.
Additionally, the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship was evident through the Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) initiative. As part of this scheme, grants totaling Rs 48 crore were awarded to 66 startups and MSMEs. The Department of Telecommunications acknowledged and celebrated 75 innovators for their outstanding contributions to the field, recognizing their dedication and exceptional achievements.
