India’s 6G Ambitions: Modi Announces Homegrown Technology Initiative

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India is rapidly working towards developing a Made-in-India 6G network. This initiative follows the expected launch of the nation’s first domestically produced semiconductor chip by the close of 2025. Modi stated that the country is addressing past shortcomings in semiconductor manufacturing by establishing new factories within India. 6G technology, positioned as the successor to 5G, offers significant advancements in wireless communication. It is projected to provide data transfer rates exceeding 1 Tbps and extremely low latencies of 100 microseconds. Key features include operation in Terahertz (THz) frequency bands, integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI), utilization of edge computing and distributed networks, and enhanced security measures. The benefits of 6G are expected to be far-reaching, including the creation of immersive digital experiences, support for smart cities and infrastructure, and advances in healthcare. The Indian government, through the 6G Technology Innovation Group (6G-TIG), is actively investing in research and development for 6G. Efficient spectrum allocation, particularly in the THz bands, is considered essential for the successful deployment of 6G, necessitating substantial infrastructure upgrades and support from government programs like the National Broadband Mission and Digital India.