Can Nokia help India achieve its 6G vision?

India is positioning itself as a leading player in the development and implementation of 6G technology by 2030. The country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, presented a 6G Vision manifesto in March 2023, outlining India’s commitment to becoming a frontrunner in designing, developing, and implementing 6G technology. While India is still in the process of adopting 5G, it is taking steps to ensure its position in the global networking industry.

Currently, 5G services are only available in India from two mobile operators, Airtel and Jio, in 13 cities. However, the deployment of 5G networks is rapidly increasing, with services now reaching over 10,000 cities. The GSMA report predicts that there will be four 5G networks in India by the end of 2025, with an estimated 100 million 5G users in the country.

According to Ericsson Consumer Lab’s Global Survey, India has a significant number of 5G users, enjoying high-quality engagement with applications such as video streaming, video calling, gaming, and augmented reality. The survey also reveals that 5G has increased overall network satisfaction in India by 30% compared to 4G. Ericsson expects mmWave technology to drive the next wave of 5G growth in India, with increased traffic data and fixed wireless access offers.

While India focuses on 5G, it is also dedicated to the development of 6G technology. 6G technology aims to merge the digital, physical, and human worlds, creating extrasensory experiences. China is also aggressively developing 6G technology, with reports suggesting that it has achieved significant progress in wireless transmission. India aims to collaborate with international technology alliances and organizations to become a major contributor to 6G development.

To achieve its 6G vision, India plans to become a leading provider of IP, goods, and services for future cost-effective 5G, 6G, and other solutions. The country intends to implement 6G technology by 2030, encouraging participation in standards development organizations and forming alliances with international technology alliances. India will prioritize the development of its own national standards and create an ecosystem for research, development, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing of telecom goods.

Nokia, a global leader in 5G technology, sees India as a crucial market and is committed to supporting its digital transformation. The company is manufacturing 5G equipment in its Chennai plant and has global delivery centers in Chennai and Noida to handle 5G network operations. Nokia’s Bangalore R&D center plays a significant role in developing local ecosystem partnerships and use cases. The company has established a 6G Lab in Bangalore to accelerate the development of foundational technologies and innovative use cases for 6G.

The inauguration of the Nokia 6G research lab in Bengaluru is an important step towards realizing India’s vision of becoming a hub of innovation. The lab will focus on researching ‘Network as Sensor’ technology and facilitating collaboration among industry stakeholders. The goal is to develop use cases in areas such as transport safety, healthcare, and education.

India’s pursuit of 6G technology requires significant investment in research and development, as well as infrastructure modifications. However, with its large population and digital infrastructure, India stands to benefit greatly from the development and implementation of 6G technology.