In a reply to the Rajya Sabha, Devusinh Chauhan, Union Minister of State for Communications, informed that India has filed patents relating to 6G technology mainly around radio and core components. He said that the government is investing in indigenous capabilities to drive development of this ultra high-speed wireless broadband technology.
The minister added that the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme had been launched with 5 per cent of annual collections from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for funding research towards development of new technologies, products, and services. Under the TTDF, two proposals for test beds had been approved, including a 6G THz test-bed and an advanced optical communications test bed.
He further added that the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), an initiative of industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organisations, had been launched to promote an ecosystem for research, design, development, and intellectual property rights (IPR) creation around 6G technology.
Furthermore, 6G wireless broadband technology is estimated to be ready for commercial deployment in India by around 2030. With data speeds potentially hitting 100 Gbps, it is estimated to be 100 times faster than 5G.
