Views of Dr Neeraj Mittal: “We have the potential to lead in 6G”

India’s telecommunications sector is advancing at an unprecedented pace, driven by the rapid deployment of 5G and proactive preparations for 6G. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has played a pivotal role in fostering innovation, strengthening digital infrastructure and bridging the digital divide. Key initiatives such as the Bharat 5G Portal, the National Broadband Mission [NBM] 2.0 and collaborative hackathons underscore the country’s commitment to technological progress and inclusivity. During various industry events in 2024, Dr Neeraj Mittal, Chairman, Digital Communications Commission, and Secretary, DoT, commented on India’s 5G journey, its vision for 6G, and the collective efforts to drive a digitally inclusive and innovation-driven telecom ecosystem. Edited excerpts from some of his addresses…

India’s 5G journey

India’s 5G roll-out is among the fastest in the world, and now we are already talking about 6G. The country has the second-largest telecom network in the world and has surprised the world with the development of indigenous 4G/5G technologies in a short span of time. The country is home to 100,000 start-ups today and presents a great opportunity for countries to collaborate with India. The world has recognised the country as a trusted partner, and now everybody wants to collaborate with India, whether it is on 5G or 6G technology. As the prime minister stated, India continues to be the third-largest tech start-up ecosystem globally, and there is a need to create new business opportunities for Indian manufacturers by encouraging the participation of more start-ups. Initiatives such as the Bharat 5G Portal are a testament to the country’s commitment to technological advancement and the growth of the telecom industry, and these are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of telecommunications in the country.

India’s 5G roll-out has been the fastest in the world. Further, 100 5G use case labs established across the country are providing opportunities associated with 5G technology by encouraging the development of 5G applications.

DoT also organised a workshop on “Transforming Rural Landscapes: Designing 5G Intelligent Villages”. Collaborative efforts are essential for achieving this vision. The concept of smart and intelligent villages emphasises the ability of these communities to interact, sense their surroundings, convey data and extract knowledge to be able to make informed decisions. The industry and telecom service providers should come forward and adopt villages and employ technology to make them intelligent villages. This workshop will come out with smart solutions and enable the testing of use cases for creating a sustainable and prosperous future for rural communities.

Citizen-centric telecom initiatives

The launch of three initiatives – the Sanchar Saathi mobile app, the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, and the intra-circle roaming (ICR) facility at DBN-funded 4G mobile sites – reflects the government’s vision to enhance citizens’ lives and protect them from cyber fraud.

The Sanchar Saathi initiative strengthens efforts to safeguard citizens from fraud and empowers individuals to prevent such crimes. The second initiative, NBM 2.0 outlines a road map for the next phase of broadband proliferation, aiming to connect unserved areas. Under the DBN initiative, towers have been installed by individual companies. With guidance from the prime minister, the ICR facility ensures that any customer, regardless of their telecom provider, can access seamless connectivity.

NBM 1.0 was highly successful, and with its second phase, the aim is to take connectivity to the masses, enabling greater adoption and utilisation. As the prime minister emphasised, technology, particularly telecommunications, must drive economic activity in villages.

With these three initiatives, a new era of innovation and advancement in telecommunications is being ushered in, setting the stage for transformative progress in the sector.

DoT also launched two new portals – the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and Chakshu – which are further steps towards strengthening cybersecurity and protecting citizens’ digital assets. These tools will help curb any kind of fraudulent means and misuse of communications systems. The launch of the DIP and Chakshu facilities underscores DoT’s commitment to empowering citizens and fostering a secure digital ecosystem. By encouraging vigilant reporting and taking proactive measures against suspected fraud communications, DoT remains dedicated to safeguarding the interests and well-being of every citizen.

Bridging the digital divide

DoT has inaugurated the Centre for Broadband Proliferation in Rural Areas, marking a significant stride towards bridging the digital divide. The village economy can play a pivotal role in realising the national vision of achieving a developed economy status by 2047. The need of the hour is to leverage high speed solutions, complemented by cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and edge processing. DoT has shown unwavering commitment to democratise opportunities and extend digital access to all citizens.

A tripartite MoU was signed by the Universal Service Obligation Fund under DoT, Prasar Bharati and Open Network for Digital Commerce to enhance collaborative efforts towards digital inclusivity and connectivity in rural areas.

Driving the Make in India initiative

India’s developers, academia and start-up ecosystem are at the forefront of driving innovation in the country. With immense pride in our nation’s cutting-edge research, we stand alongside Qualcomm in nurturing the entrepreneurial vigour in telecom technology. The initiative of signing an MoU between the Centre for Development of Telematics and Qualcomm to establish a strategic partnership marks a significant step in fostering innovation in India. This partnership will support India-based developers and start-ups working on innovative products and use cases, reaffirming the prime minister’s commitment to the Design in India and Make in India visions. It recognises the potential of home-grown start-ups to drive groundbreaking innovations and propel India’s leadership in the telecom landscape.

Sustainable digital development

Sustainable development will require the deployment of technology across the supply chain, economy and social sector, where telecom is an integral part. India’s digital economy is expected to reach approximately $1.5 billion by 2025-26, contributing about 15 per cent to the GDP. This can only be achieved through a robust and resilient telecom network system.

DoT’s initiatives, such as the Digital Communication Innovation Square and the Telecom Technology Development Fund, have played a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurs, enabling them to leverage technology to solve challenges, both big and small, within their respective domains.

Technologies of the future

Standards are critical for driving technology adoption and commercial viability. India has the potential to lead in the field of quantum technology, as demonstrated by the nation’s cutting-edge research efforts. Start-ups have made significant contributions in pioneering quantum memory technology, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation in India.

An MoU has been signed between DoT and the Pan IIT USA network to facilitate global collaboration and mentorship in high-technology projects. DoT reaffirms its commitment to supporting start-ups in the quantum technology space, recognising their potential to drive groundbreaking innovations and propel India’s leadership in the global quantum landscape. I would also like to emphasise the importance of demystifying quantum technology for the general public, calling for initiatives to increase awareness and understanding among all stakeholders. DoT has been committed to fostering innovation and collaboration in emerging technologies, and looks forward to further advancements in the field of quantum technology.

DoT has inaugurated a centre of excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at the IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai. The final selected proposals will be categorised into groups based on their thematic and technical similarities. To foster collaboration and maximise the impact of research and development (R&D) efforts in 6G technology, a comprehensive three-day workshop will be organised for the selected proposals. This workshop will bring all the proposers together at a single location, enabling them to synergise their R&D activities, share insights and work towards common goals. The initiative aims to create a cohesive and coordinated effort in advancing 6G technology, ensuring that all projects benefit from collective expertise and resources.

Developing 6G infrastructure

There is an urgent need for India to build robust 6G infrastructure and foster public-private partnerships to maintain a leading position in the global telecommunications sector. Developing a skilled workforce and collaborating with global academic institutions will be critical as we implement 6G over the next six to eight years.

The roll-out of 5G in India has been one of the fastest in the world. The prime minister has set an ambitious goal of achieving 10,000 patents in 6G. While India lagged behind in 3G and perhaps in 4G, we have matched global speed with 5G and now have the potential to lead in 6G.