Dr Astha Sharma, Assistant Director (Technology), Bharat 6G Alliance
Dr Astha Sharma is Assistant Director (Technology) at the Bharat 6G Alliance, where she works at the intersection of technology, policy and ecosystem development. In her current role, Sharma is involved in shaping India’s 6G technology road map, identifying priority research areas, monitoring the evolution of global standards and strengthening the country’s participation in international forums.
She believes 6G presents a rare opportunity for India to participate in shaping the future of global telecommunications. However, achieving this vision calls for stronger domestic research capabilities, sustained investment in research and development, supportive spectrum policies, and deeper collaboration among industry, academia and government. She says, “One of the most prominent trends is the transition from 5G to 5G Advanced and early 6G research, where the focus is shifting beyond connectivity to enabling intelligent, autonomous networks. Technologies such as AI-native networks, integrated sensing and communication, and sub-THz spectrum exploration will redefine how networks are designed and operated.”
With a background in electronics and communications engineering and a doctorate from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Sharma developed expertise in wireless systems that continues to underpin her work today. A doctoral exchange at the University of Bologna, Italy, under the Erasmus Mundus programme, broadened her perspective on international research collaboration and exposed her to large-scale cross-border innovation ecosystems. She subsequently spent several years in academia, leading research and innovation initiatives while mentoring students and building collaborative programmes. Her experience at the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Innovation Hub at IIIT Bangalore, where she managed 5G and 6G programmes, further expanded her focus from individual research outcomes to innovation ecosystems and national-scale technology development.
What excites Sharma most about her role is the opportunity to help shape an evolving organisation and contribute to a technology landscape that is still being defined. Her management style is collaborative, with a strong emphasis on setting clear goals while empowering teams to determine how best to achieve them.
Outside work, Sharma remains committed to continuous learning and regularly follows expert discussions and technology-focused sessions to stay abreast of developments in telecom and emerging technologies. She also values spending time with family, which she considers essential to maintaining balance and perspective.
