Calibrating India’s leap of faith to 6G

Challenges and opportunities of the upcoming technology came up for an in-depth discussion among experts and practitioners

“There is a need to reevaluate spectrum pricing in India to ensure a more equitable distribution of this pivotal resource.”- Akhil Gupta, Vice Chairman, Bharti Enterprises

As India stands on the cusp of the 6G revolution, it is not expected to play the playbook of the 5G rollout, but, having learnt lessons from the past, there is going to be more innovation along with inclusivity, more collaboration along a strategic focus.

“The era of catching up is over. With substantial investments in 5G infrastructure, the transition to 6G poses financial challenges.”- Manoj Chugh, Chairman, Manoj Chugh Advisory LLP

That was the tone emerging from the 5th edition of the Voice&Data TLF conference, themed “Shaping the Future of Connectivity”.The session discussed the technological, economic, and policy aspects of India's potential leadership in the 6G landscape. It also focused on India’s Vision Document and the Bharat 6G Alliance to understand the possibilities of research collaboration, regulatory strategies, international partnerships, and roadblocks.

“The transition from 5G to 6G marks a paradigm shift from Giga to Tera – a testament to humanity's ceaseless technological progress.”- Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, Cybermedia Group

Pradeep Gupta, Chairman of the Cybermedia Group, led the panel discussion. It was joined by Prof. Kiran Kumar Kuchi, Professor, IIT Hyderabad who is known for his groundbreaking work in electrical engineering. Akhil Gupta, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, brought his extensive experience and insights to the discussion. Completing the quartet was Manoj Chugh, Chairman of Manoj Chugh Advisory LLP, a seasoned telecom expert.

JOURNEY FROM 5G TO 6G

Pradeep Gupta noted that the transition from 5G to 6G went beyond an incremental advancement. It marked a paradigm shift from Giga to Tera – a testament to humanity's ceaseless technological progress. The Prime Minister's vision document for 6G, he said, was a cornerstone in this journey. He lauded Prof. Kuchi as one of the architects of this monumental vision.

“The transition from 5G to 6G marks a paradigm shift from Giga to Tera – a testament to humanity's ceaseless technological progress,” Gupta said.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VISION DOCUMENT

Prof. Kiran Kumar Kuchishared with the audience his journey in crafting India’s 6G vision document. This document, he emphasised, signified a departure from earlier generations, a testament to India’s audacity.

Notably, there were no 4G or 5G vision documents. This marked an unprecedented moment in India's technological narrative.“The Vision Document signifies a departure from the 4G and 5G generations; it is a testament to India's audacity of aiming to shape the 6G ecosystem,” Prof. Kuchi noted.

Expounded on India's global impact, he recalled that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) initiated the IMT 2030 project, a precursor to 6G. India's contributions, notably in the form of ubiquitous communications, faced initial resistance. Yet, after strenuous negotiations, India’s vision was integrated. This stood as a resounding victory in India's pursuit of 6G leadership.

THE AFFORDABILITY IMPERATIVE

Manoj Chugh, a stalwart in the telecom industry, offered a pragmatic perspective. He acknowledged India’s history of playing catch-up in previous generations but stressed that the era of catching up was over. As substantial investments have already been made in the 5G infrastructure, the transition to 6G posed financial challenges. The question arose: Could India afford this monumental leap?

“The era of catching up is over. With substantial investments in 5G infrastructure, the transition to 6G poses financial challenges,” he noted.

Akhil Gupta interjected, underscoring the paramount importance of inclusivity and affordability in India’s 6G journey. He underscored the need for an incremental investment approach, ensuring the transition's accessibility to all strata of society. He called for a reevaluation of the spectrum pricing, advocating for a more equitable distribution of this pivotal resource.

“Inclusivity and affordability are paramount in India's 6G journey,” he asserted.

GEOPOLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The discussion shifted to geopolitics. China's dominance in 5G had been a resounding wake-up call for the world. Now, with 6G on the horizon, what role would China play? Prof. Kuchi, drawing on decades of experience, acknowledged China’s remarkable progress in 6G research and development. He also pointed out that India, with its scale and domestic demand, was uniquely positioned to emulate China's success.

“India, with its scale and domestic demand, is uniquely positioned to emulate China's success,”Prof. Kuchi said.

Chugh, offering a strategic viewpoint, stressed the significance of building alliances and supply chains. He acknowledged that supply chains would inevitably be global, but India's contributions could be monumental. The emphasis was on seizing the moment, creating a circle of trustand collaborating with friendly nations to actualise India's 6G vision.

“The Vision Document signifies a departure from the 4G and 5G generations; it is a testament to India's audacity of aiming to shape the 6G ecosystem.”- Prof. Kiran Kumar Kuchi, Professor, IIT Hyderabad

With the global race towards 6G gaining momentum, India is poised to assert itself as a key player. The transition from 5G to 6G represents not just a technological leap, but a redefining moment for the nation's digital landscape. The vision document, carefully crafted under the guidance of luminaries like Prof. Kuchi, stands as a testament to India's commitment to shaping the future.

Inclusivity and affordability have emerged as the watchwords of this transformative journey. The call for an incremental investment approach, led by Akhil Gupta, resonates as a pragmatic strategy to ensure every stratum of society reaps the benefits of this technological revolution. The reevaluation of spectrum pricing, as advocated by Gupta, holds the promise of a more equitable and accessible digital future for all.

The geopolitical landscape casts a long shadow over the race to 6G. China's strides in 5G serve as a stark reminder of the stakes at hand.

However, as Prof. Kuchi affirmed, India's scale and domestic demand position it uniquely to emulate China's success. Strategic alliances and supply chains will play a pivotal role, with Chugh urging India to seize the moment and establish a circle of trust with like-minded nations.

As the session drew to a close, it was evident that India stood at the precipice of a technological revolution. The vision, shared by the panellists, was one of inclusivity, affordability and global leadership. India's 6G journey would be marked by collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

aanchalg@cybermedia.co.in