New Delhi, October 29, 2023 – The Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023, held in New Delhi, highlighted India’s growing leadership 5G and then 6G that will follow, in the realm of mobile network technologies, with an emphasis on its indigenous 5G technology and its burgeoning potential in steering the 6G standardization.
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Professor Abhay Karandikar, underscored the country’s commitment to innovation and research, paving the way for a formidable position in the global tech landscape.
A Promising Outlook for 6G Standardization
Speaking at the Second International Workshop on 6G Standardization, a part of the IMC, Professor Karandikar expressed optimism about India’s role in shaping the 6G standardization, an opportunity that could position the country as a key global exporter of such advanced technologies. “We have an opportunity to steer the 6G standardization in a way which we have not really thought of before, as well as become a global exporter of such technologies in the years to come,” he stated.
Fertile Ground for Innovation
With the impending shift to 6G technology, Professor Karandikar emphasized India’s potential as a fertile use case scenario for influencing the research and standardization of this groundbreaking technology. The country’s diverse network environment, ranging from high to low data rates, latency-tolerant applications, and a plethora of access devices, offers an ideal testing ground for cellular mobile communications, Wi-Fi-connected devices, drones, satellite, terrestrial networks, sensors, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Despite the promising landscape, Professor Karandikar acknowledged the significant challenges that lie ahead. He emphasized the necessity of extensive research and patent filings, along with substantial efforts in developing the core network to address scalability challenges.
Highlighting the role of the Department of Science and Technology, he emphasized their initiatives like the National Mission for Cyber Physical Systems (NMICPS) and the Advanced Networking Research Facility (ANRF), which are poised to play a pivotal role in supporting critical research in this domain.
Engagement with Key Stakeholders
The IMC witnessed the active participation of notable figures from the Government, academia, and the industry. Dignitaries including Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri V. Raghunandan, Secretary of TRAI, Shri R K Upadhyay of C-DoT, and Shri R R Mittar, Advisor at TEC, engaged in discussions on mobile network technologies, their standardization, and future prospects over the three-day event.
Professor Abhay Karandikar’s visit to the Technology Innovation Hubs under the NMICPS showcased the cutting-edge technologies developed in the country, underscoring India’s potential as a global technology leader in the realm of mobile network technologies.
As India positions itself at the forefront of mobile network technology, its concerted efforts in research, innovation, and collaboration continue to drive the nation’s aspirations in the global tech sphere.
