Stable internet is essential for India’s growth. As more people come online, the demand for faster, more reliable networks rises. By early 2025, India had about 1.12 billion mobile connections—76.6% of its population. Approximately 806 million of these users were online. The Internet and Mobile Association of India projects that this number will exceed 900 million by the end of 2025, driven by the increasing use of regional languages.
As India expands its digital landscape, discussions are turning toward the 6G network. The focus is on its potential, research advancements, and national goals.
Bharat 6G Vision Explained
The Bharat 6G Vision is a strategic plan by the Indian government to lead in global wireless communication. This initiative aims to make India a major provider of affordable and innovative 6G solutions.
Beyond just infrastructure, Bharat 6G Vision promotes a holistic ecosystem that emphasizes research, collaboration, and local manufacturing. The plan includes six core pillars that focus on areas like AI-driven networks and the development of startups, while also ensuring security and interoperability.
Key Objectives and Timeline
Sixth-generation technology’s main goals include making India a competitive player in producing affordable 6G products and contributing to international telecom standards. The aim is to set a foundation for secure, high-speed digital services. The global rollout of 6G is anticipated to start in 2030, and India is gearing up for this timeline with its focused research areas, which include AI-driven networks and immersive technologies, such as AR and VR.
Phases of Development
The Bharat 6G Vision follows a phased plan to move from research to real-world application:
- Phase 1 (2023-2025): Focus on ideation and experimentation. Initial studies will explore high-risk, innovative ideas.
- Phase 2 (2025-2030): Concentration on development and deployment, turning promising ideas into prototypes and products.
Government Support for 6G
The Indian government is taking significant steps to promote 6G development:
- Funding two dedicated testbeds for research in communication technology.
- Approving over 111 research projects to boost innovation in advanced areas.
- Sanctioning 100 5G labs in educational institutions to build talent and support startups.
- Creating the Bharat 6G Alliance, a platform connecting various stakeholders in the telecom industry.
- Forming global partnerships with countries like Japan and Finland to advance joint research efforts.
Potential Impact of 6G
The introduction of 6G can significantly change various sectors, such as:
- Healthcare: AI in ambulances and wearables for real-time health monitoring.
- Agriculture: IoT and AI for crop health monitoring and management.
- Defense: Enhanced surveillance and situational awareness through digital technologies.
- Disaster response: Improved communication through interconnected networks and satellites.
Challenges to Overcome
While the plan is compelling, challenges remain:
- Building the infrastructure needed for advanced communication requires substantial investment.
- Effective spectrum management is essential for high-capacity network requirements.
- Strengthening cybersecurity and privacy measures will be vital for user trust.
- Standardization is necessary to ensure smooth deployment and interoperability across devices and networks.
The future looks promising, but success depends on collaboration between the government and the industry to innovate and tackle these challenges by 2030.
