Unleashing A New Era Of Connectivity: 6G's Transformative Promise For India

Each transformative technological leap ushers in a new era, propelling us towards a better future. For instance, the Internet has fundamentally reshaped the way we live, work, and connect. Artificial Intelligence is also doing the same. The next big technological advancement will be spearheaded by 6G. The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) manifesto 'Sankalp Patra' for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections promises to launch the 6G network in the country. So, what really can 6G do in a country like ours?

Imagine a world where downloading a full-length high-definition movie takes mere seconds. Visualise attending a virtual reality conference with crystal-clear visuals and zero lag. Envision a future where real-time medical consultations with specialists across the globe become a reality. This isn't science fiction - it's the promise of 6G, the next generation of wireless technology on the horizon. While the rollout of 5G services is still ongoing, the global telecom industry has already set its sights on the next big leap - and the implications for India are profound. India's ruling party wants to jump on this bandwagon.

Boasting internet speeds nearly 100 times faster than current 5G networks, 6G is set to unlock a world of possibilities. Latency, the bane of many real-time applications, will be reduced to less than a millisecond, enabling breakthroughs in areas like remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and immersive virtual/augmented reality. Speaking at the party's headquarters in New Delhi, during the launch of the party's manifesto Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "In the realm of digital infrastructure, efforts are underway to expand the reach of 5G technology while also laying the groundwork for advancements like 6G. Policies are being formulated with a focus on Industry 4.0. BJP is accelerating the digitisation of government services, expanding the reach of Common Service Centers and scaling up initiatives like ONDC and telemedicine."

In March 2023, PM Modi launched 'Bharat 6G Mission' document, laying the roadmap for this technological leap. The document recommended the creation of a Rs 10,000 Crore fund to service the requirements of the industry over the next 10 years. The vision document emphasises the creation of 6 pillars, including spectrum allocation and standardisation to ensure a hassle-free implementation. The first phase began in 2023 and will end in 2025. The second phase of 'Bharat 6G Mission' will start in 2025 and end in 2030.

For a country like India, where over 700 million people now access the internet, 6G has the potential to be truly transformative.

In our country, about 70% of people live in rural areas and reliable, affordable high-speed connectivity can become a great equaliser. It would help empower rural communities and accelerate access to essential services like education, healthcare, and financial inclusion. Over the past few years, India has emerged as a rising force in the global telecom landscape. From being a mere consumer of 4G technology, the country has emerged as a major exporter of telecom equipment.