
Bharat 6G Alliance Expands Membership to Drive Next-Gen Telecom
#GS-3 #Science & Technology #ICT #Economy #Infrastructure #Current Events #National
Why in News
- The Minister of State for Communications announced that the **Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)** has expanded its membership to **90** organizations.
About Bharat 6G Alliance
- The **Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)** is a collaborative platform led by industry and supported by the government to establish India as a global leader in 6G technology.
- It brings together domestic and international experts to drive research, generate patents, and set technical standards for future telecom networks.
Nodal Support and Global Partners
- The **Department of Telecommunications (DoT)** under the **Ministry of Communications** provides official facilitation and support for this alliance.
- The organization works through bilateral agreements with major global bodies such as the **NextG Alliance (USA)**, **6G-IA (Europe)**, **6G Forum (South Korea)**, **XGMF (Japan)**, **6G Brasil**, and the **European Space Agency (ESA)**.
Objectives of the Alliance
- The primary goal is to promote local research and development to build a self-reliant and globally competitive 6G system.
- It ensures that India's manufacturing capabilities, technology goals, and patent priorities are included in global 6G guidelines.
Key Functions of the Alliance
- **Formulating Spectrum Roadmaps:** It studies high-frequency radio waves and advises the **Department of Telecommunications** on policy, allocation plans, and rollout schedules.
- **Advancing R&D and Testbeds:** It manages multi-institutional projects under the **Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)**, including a **6G Terahertz testbed** at **SAMEER Kolkata** for ultra-fast direct communication.
- **Securing Global Standards:** It submits Indian technical contributions to the **International Telecommunication Union (ITU)** under the **IMT-2030 framework**, successfully making widespread network coverage a core global requirement.
- **Supporting Hardware Startups:** It encourages research on advanced microchips, multi-chip modules, and smart devices using the **Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP)** scheme to sponsor startup participation in international bodies like **3GPP** and **oneM2M**.
- **Building Resilient Supply Chains:** It partners with international hubs like Finland's **6G Flagship** to create secure supply chains and co-develop open 6G standards.
Significance of B6GA
- The alliance allows India to shape global 6G rules at **ITU** and **3GPP**, shifting the country from a technology user to a global standards leader.
- It connects **IIT** research with commercial industries to market local telecom products, strengthen cybersecurity, reduce foreign imports, and boost domestic manufacturing.