1

6G
VISION

Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications
November 2022
2 6G VISION

Table of
Contents
1. Executive Summary 4

2. India and the Telecom Revolution 8

3. The 6G Promise 10

4. The 6G Roadmap 12

4.1 Global 6G Scenario 12

4.2 6G Telecom Network in India Context 17

5. Summaries of 6 Task Forces & their recommendations 20

5.1 Multi-Platform Next Generation Networks 20

5.2 Innovative Solutions 21

5.3 Spectrum 23

5.4 Devices 26

5.5 Standardisation 29

5.6 R&D Finance 31

6. Key Recommendations to Enable 6G Mission 34

7. Mission 6G 36

8. Annexures 38

8.1 Task Force Report Multi-Platform Next Generation Networks 39

8.2 Task Force Report Multi Disciplinary Innovative Solutions 51

8.3 Task Force Report Spectrum 76

8.4 Task Force Report Devices 113

8.5 Task Force Report Standardisation 132

8.6 Task Force Report R&D Finance 157

9. Constitution of the 6G TIG 175

 3

6G Vision Statement

(Ubiquitous availability of high-quality e-Services)

“Realistic & intelligent life experience”

To be a global leader in the development and deployment of 6G

telecom technology, enabling hyper-connectivity and seamless
accessibility to resources (physical and virtual) and social services
without constraints of time and physical location. This will bridge the
gap between availability, accessibility, and affordability of e-services
(health, education, banking, civic services, etc) and between
economic opportunities in rural and urban India.
4 6G VISION

1
Executive Summary

Every decade, the world services. Broadband connectivity

bears witness to yet has transformed lives and
another, highly improved, livelihoods, particularly of the
poor. During the last five years,
generation of wireless
India has also ramped up telecom
cellular technology that
equipment manufacturing and
changes the way the exports in a decisive move towards
future of communication an Atmanirbhar Bharat. During
is perceived. Each new this period, India has also made
generation provides an important contributions to global
almost disruptive impetus telecom standards to ensure that
to the state of technological its dispersed rural population
advancement, spearheads clusters are as well served as its
societal change, and leaves urban population. The Low Mobility
the world wondering if we Large Cell rural use case proposed
have truly understood how by India is now a mandatory
limitless communication requirement to be met by mobile
communication technologies
technology can be.
adopted as International
During the last decade, more than Telecommunications Union (ITU)
700 million Indians, representing standards.
75% of both rural and urban
Communication technology is
adult population, became users
ever evolving, from the early
of mobile and fixed broadband
 5

days of fourth generation (4G), when the newfound With a Vision of 6G as of today, we need to take stock
gaming graphics bowled the world over, to the recent of where we are with the resources at our disposal
promise that 5G brings to us in terms of heightened and where we ought to be to ensure achievement of
connectivity. Today, as India embarks upon its own Mission 6G. Accordingly, India must focus on aligning
unique 5G journey, the global telecom sector has its research on technologies in the coming decade
already initiated strides towards creating 6G or sixth- that would bolster and propel the implementation of
generation communication technology as the next big 6G in India in a highly customized manner. Hyper-
thing on the communication horizon. Despite being connectivity and advanced user experience delivered
at a concept stage, 6G is already making waves with by 6G will improve and enable access to required
its promise of unified human-machine and machine- information, resources (both virtual and physical),
machine connectivity and offers a glimpse of what lies and social services without constraints of time and
in store for the world as Vision 6G draws closer. physical location. The advent of 6G will significantly
reduce differences in regional and social infrastructure
6G will build upon 5G technology and provide more
and availability of economic opportunities and will
reliable, ultra-low latency and affordable solutions with
thereby provide alternatives to rural exodus, mass
speeds almost 100 times faster than 5G to enhance
urbanization, and its related problems.
and drive new communication applications. These
technological advances will impact not just user To further explore the impact of 6G in India and
experience but also transform economies and lives to investigate how India can realise its Mission
everywhere. It will very likely include intelligent network of becoming a global leader in this space, the
management and control, and integrated wireless Technology Innovations Group set up six task forces
sensing and communication while balancing the in India to explore the major pillars of the 6G Vision.
potential consequent carbon footprint with reduced
energy consumption and a myriad of sustainable and
eco-friendly initiatives.
6 6G VISION

Multi Platform
Next Generation R&D Finance
Network

Standardization
Pillars of Innovative

6G Vision
Solutions

Ecosystem for
devices and Identification of
systems the Spectrum

Six task forces formed under the Technology Innovations Group

Technology Innovations Group, based on their potential and risk associated with the pathways ahead
deliberations on the complete 6G ecosystem, have and test proof-of-concept implementations, while the
recommended extensive research in mmWave and second phase will be dedicated to conceptualizing and
Terahertz, fiber-broadband, Tactile Internet and delivering potential technology solutions to serve India
Remote Operations, multi-sensor man-machine and the global community. While the basic objective
interfaces and devices leveraging edge cloud for India will be a customised 6G implementation plan,
computing resources. Well-placed headways acceptance and support from the global community
into AI, Space-Terrestrial Integration, combined can fast forward our commercialization drive and pave
communication and sensing in (Sub) Terahertz bands, the way for further newer technologies.
SoCs, and CoE’s innovative solutions can further be
accentuated by participation in and contribution to India has the necessary wherewithal to drive the
global standards forums and leveraging of the start- 6G wave globally and leverage this powerful force
ups of today. All this and more can be achieved with multiplier to transform itself into a leading global
a robust and much-needed Research & Development supplier of advanced, relevant, and affordable telecom
(R&D) funding mechanism. systems and solutions. Our primary focus must be
on multi-platform next-generation networks like
India will identify priority areas for research by Dense optical networks, AI/ML on the air interface and
involving all stakeholders including industry, for network optimization, tactile Internet, Intelligent
academia, and service providers, spanning theoretical network operation, Intelligent Reflective Surfaces,
and simulation studies, proof-of-concept prototypes Efficient Low Earth Orbit satellites, High-altitude
and demonstrations, and early market interventions platform systems (HAPS), User-defined virtualized
through start-ups, to take the lead. To accomplish the air interfaces, and the like. Further, initiatives
end-state of smart traffic management, virtual reality into investigating and implementing methods to
(VR)/ virtual navigation, smart and highly accurate standardize such technology and devices can provide
environmental monitoring, and other fantastical additional structure and foresight to our 6G roadmap
promises of 6G, India will launch a 6G Mission that and assist us in efficiently allocating resources to
holistically combines all associated technologies, ensure that India becomes a key role player in 6G
supported by an adequate financial backup. The technology implementation and adoption.
Mission can be divided into two phases – the first
being the ideation phase to understand the inherent
 7

Affordable Ubiquitous

Sustainable

In conclusion, we expect that 6G will play an those in rural areas for whom telecommunications is
important role in filling the gap in the provisioning of critical to overcoming the tyranny of distance. These
e-services for urban and rural populations, help in the technologies will also provide immense opportunities
achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable for India’s entrepreneurs to innovate and develop new
Development Goals (SDGs), and contribute products based on their Intellectual Property (IP) not
tremendously towards improving the quality and just for the Indian market but also for the entire world,
opportunities of life. These will embody innovations transforming India into a global leader providing life-
that specifically address the country’s needs and and livelihood-transforming solutions.
improve the productivity of its people, particularly of

Extreme
AI/ ML on the Massive
Air Interface MIMO

User-
Defined
Virtualized Intelligent
Air Reflective
Interfaces Surfaces

Distributed
HAPS, LEO,
Intelligence in
MEO, GEO
Network
8 6G VISION

2
India and the
Telecom Revolution
Mobile wireless seen in India too, which
telecommunications went from a country with
have, without a doubt, less than 20 million landline
transformed the lives of connections (in 1998) to
people and the global more than a billion mobile
economy over the last telephone subscribers today
three decades. Wireless with 75% of subscribers
technology harnessed the always having broadband
power of the Internet to connectivity irrespective of
morph the daily lives of their location.
people and intertwined
them into a digital world.
From the first generation of
analogue technology to the
fifth generation of wireless
broadband technology,
the advancement of
seamless Internet has
made accessibility and
affordability well within
the reach of the common
people. The results can be
 9

At present, the total annual purchase of smartphones employed or run small enterprises. Their ability to
is greater than 16 crore smartphones for about 30 support their customers better through online tracking
crore Indian households. This means that every of their products/ sales, or to monitor critical business
household today is buying smartphones at an average activities even as they are on the move, will improve
of one phone every 2 years. A similar amount is being greatly. With the assured low-latency data transfer
spent annually on two-wheelers, while the annual capability offered for the first time in 5G, professionals
spend on other household appliances is a lot less. can even perform some tasks remotely through tactile
It is interesting to note that an average Indian finds Internet.
a personal smartphone as valuable as a personal
As India progresses into the centenary of its
vehicle. Smartphones have evolved from being a
independence, the next two decades are a critical
means for calling, entertainment, snapping pictures
growth phase that will determine the country’s
and videos, payments, e-commerce, navigation, etc.,
future. It is crucial to seize this opportunity of the
to aiding the enhancement of livelihoods.
latest generation in wireless technology even as the
Affordable telecom technology has enabled Indian technology is still fresh “from the oven”. As the world’s
citizens to develop their lives and livelihoods at a second-largest telecom market, India must evolve to
speed unseen in previous generations. Now, with become a net technology provider and manufacturer
the imminent deployment of 5G technology bringing to the world. This means that we must actively
in advanced broadband services, higher data participate in defining the contours of the next sixth
rates, better video quality, etc., the experiences of generation (6G) and drive the innovations such that
the citizens are only going to improve further. The we address the pressing needs not only for India but
new machine-type communication capabilities in for every other country with similar requirements. We
5G driving the Mission of Industry 4.0 will impact must pivot to the position of a leading global provider
livelihoods significantly. Many Indians are self- of technology and solutions for the greater good.
10 6G VISION

3
The 6G Promise

As India recently concluded advancements that

the highly anticipated symbolise the telecom
spectrum auctions, the sector.
implementation of 5G Although technically 6G does not
mobile services has finally exist today, it is already conceived
been set in motion in the as a much superior successor
country. While the full to the widely anticipated 5G. It
potential of 5G will take promises a world of unimaginable
shape over time, we already speeds, connective intelligence
have a clear understanding and a highly mature IoT model
of how it can impact and that will enable and empower
change the Indian and automated cars and smart home
global telecommunication networks and will heighten the
already existing interplay between
landscape for the better.
everyday life and the internet. The
6G will build extensively
global vision is to further transform
on this enhanced state connectivity to make big data
of technology. The global analytics and holographic displays
community has already a norm when 6G technology is
begun exploring its potential finally implemented in the 2030s.
in a bid to push the frontiers
and stay abreast of the
high-paced technological
 11

The current cell-phone technology is the ubiquitous Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc. 6G use cases will
4G which supports our current way of life by providing include remote-controlled factories, constantly
us with seamless streaming and gaming experiences. communicating self-driven cars and smart wearables
The new 5G technology promises a speed range of taking inputs directly from human senses. While 6G
40 – 1,100 Mbps with the potential to hit maximum promises growth, it will simultaneously have to be
speeds of 10,000 Mbps through technologies such as balanced with sustainability since most 6G supporting
millimeter-wave spectrum and beamforming. While communication devices will be battery-powered and
5G itself seems very futuristic as of now, 6G will offer can have a significant carbon footprint.
ultra-low latency with speeds up to 1 Tbps that will
This report further elaborates on India’s 6G Mission
amp up the machine-to-machine and human-to-
which aims to provide all these high-speed and ultra-
machine interactions to unprecedented heights and
low latency solutions at affordable prices to urban and
transform the development and use of virtual and
rural areas alike, irrespective of external factors such
augmented reality (VR/AR), mobile edge computing,
as terrains, weather, and environmental conditions.

Realistic experience through

hyper-connectivity GEO Satellite

LEO / MEO Constellation

6G
6G

UBIQUITOUS CONNECTIVITY
Robotic Healthcare Advance Agriculture
eCommerce eCommerce
Center Technology

Connected Ultra High Connected Ultra High

Fire station Connectivity Fire station Connectivity

Online Police Online Police Connected

Industry Hubs
services services Transportation

Smart Electric Smart waste 6G Connected Online Banking

Devices Management Homes
Secured POS
Smart Classes Smart Classes Remote ATM
Services
Multi-National Automated Digital Post Connected Retail
Companies Public Transport Office Services

Augmented & Augmented &

Digital library Digital Schools
Virtual Reality Virtual Reality
12 6G VISION

4
The 6G Roadmap
4.1 Global 6G Scenario
The lifestyle of modern society made a drastic
shift when broadband access became ubiquitous
with smartphones that were powered by the fourth
generation (4G) of wireless technology. People were
able to connect with their peers 24x7 instantaneously
and at high speed with the tap of one’s fingers. The
need for physical presence in business settings is
reduced enabling a boost in efficiency and productivity
in all sectors of society.
As we come to grips with the wave of changes that
4G has wrought, the fifth generation (5G) of wireless
technology is being rolled out from 2020 onwards.
The Internet of Everything is enabling an explosion
in remote human-machine and machine-machine
interaction. Technology that could only be imagined
during the 4G era is being manifested during the
5G wave. And yet every day, we keep discovering,
creating, and developing technologies that are of
much higher capability than 4G technology. Vehicles
can communicate with each other and with us to
enable a safer and better transportation experience,
machines in factories are interacting with the smart
controller as well as with each other to improve
productivity, urban and rural utilities are becoming
smarter in fulfilling their functions, and so on.
 13

TELEOPERATED
AUTONOMUS DRIVING
TACTILE INTERNET

HEALTH CARE,
EDUCATION… HOLOGRAPHIC
CENTER COMMUNICATION

6G Converged AR/ VR/ XR

Network

SECURITY & NEXT-GEN

TRUST INDUSTRIES

6G DEVICES
HYPER CONNECTED (IoT & Biological devices)
DIGITAL WORLD

Now that 5G is rolling out, the question for the to ponder over what they would like 6G to deliver
next decade is what the sixth generation (6G) of and how they can shape it to suit their needs. Many
wireless technology will look like and how can we countries and consortiums are actively addressing
convert our vision into reality. What can we expect this question through research efforts and realizing
to become feasible and available in the next decade? their Vision for 6G. The following discussion
Given the impact it will have on lives, livelihoods, summarizes the major efforts that are being pursued
and productivity, it is important for everyone across worldwide in 6G.
the world, particularly those in growing economies,

A major effort in North America has and performance requirements based on both
been launched by the Next G Alliance1 of audacious and incremental objectives. These
stakeholders who range from service providers goals cover trust, security and resilience, an
and vendors to universities and start-ups. The enhanced digital world experience, affordable
main drivers of their Vision are classified into solutions that span all aspects of the network,
four foundational impact areas – Everyday distributed cloud and an AI-native network,
Living, Experience, Critical Roles, and and sustainability concerning energy efficiency

A Societal Goals. They include four categories

of use cases: Network-Enabled Robotics
and life cycle costs. Due to these requirements,
nearly fifty technological areas have been
and Autonomous Systems, Multisensory identified within the domains of system
Extended Reality, Distributed Sensing and components, radio technologies, network
Communications, and Personalized User architecture, Operations, Administration, and
Experiences. Based on this classification, the Maintenance (OA&M) and provisioning, security,
alliance has identified high-level functional reliability, privacy, and resilience.

1. https://nextgalliance.org/
14 6G VISION

South Korea has outlined a 6G R&D Plan with network, and real-time network monitoring. A
Rs. 1200 CR investment in the first phase total of 14 LEO satellites are proposed to be
running till 2025, for attaining global leadership, launched before the end of the decade. Three
developing key original technologies, making 6G research centres have been established
significant contributions to international in universities in 2021, and 6G capabilities of
standards and patents, and building a strong working-level researchers are being enhanced
foundation for 6G research and industry.2 Six by scaling up joint R&D by small and medium
focus areas have been identified for attention: enterprises, universities, and research centres in
terabit speeds, operation in 100-300 GHz Korea. Working together with Korean Intellectual
band, 3D-coverage integrating LEO satellites Property Office, R&D funding, a strategy for the
B with a terrestrial network extending up to 10
km airspace for drones, 10% of the latency in
key fields of space networking and intelligent
high-precision networks having high potential
5G, ubiquitous AI, and security designed into for obtaining pre-emptive standard-essential
every element of the network. Several key patents are being put in place. To create global
technologies are being pursued to achieve collaborative networks, South Korea is also
the desired goals: Terabit wireless and Terabit promoting joint studies on core 6G technologies
optical communications, RF components and and 6G spectrum with foreign countries that are
spectrum studies in the THz band, mobile carrying out government-led research on 6G
communications in space, ultra-precision technologies.
networking, intelligent wireless access and

Europe has been in the vanguard of telecom and computing. The overarching Vision is
research since the era of 2G. The European to ensure leadership in strategic areas and
6G Vision3 identifies key features of 6G establish secure and trusted access to key
including intelligent network management technologies making Europe a sovereign,
and control, integrated wireless sensing independent, and reliable source for 6G public
and communication, reduction of energy and private network solutions and services. A
consumed, trustworthy networks, scalability, parallel objective is to foster entrepreneurship
and affordability. The 6G architecture is with private and public participation,
envisaged as a flexible and efficient network complemented with tax policies for start-ups to
of networks including non-terrestrial networks, avoid the relocation of promising businesses.
encompassing novel AI-powered enablers to Sovereignty and security requirements are
enhance network performance and provide being identified and enforced.

C AI-as-a-Service using a distributed cloud. AI

and Machine Learning are expected to play a
In the first explorative phase (Hexa-X The
European 6G flagship project4 of research,
key role in human-digital-physical interaction
running from 2021 till 2023, the critical
to automate certain levels of decision-making.
technology enablers for 6G being studied
Network capacity is expected to expand to
are: sub-THz transceiver technologies,
approach and even exceed Shannon and
accurate stand-alone positioning and radio-
Moore’s limits. Smart optical transport is being
based imaging, improved radio performance,
pursued to ensure an intrinsically secure, green,
artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning
and scalable network. Photonics integration
(ML) inspired radio access network (RAN)
is being pursued to integrate optical, radio
technologies, future network architectures, and
and digital electronic functions. Quantum
special purpose solutions including future ultra-
technologies are being explored to understand
reliable low-latency communication (URLLC)
their potential for unprecedented performance
schemes.
in quantum sensing, communication, security,

2. https://www.msit.go.kr/eng/bbs/view 4. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9482430)
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352226800_
European_Vision_for_the_6G_Network_Ecosystem
 15

In Japan, the Integrated Optical and Wireless optical/radio communication and photonic-
Network (IOWN) Forum5 published its electronic technologies. IOWN proposes to build
Vision 20306 white paper, which laid out liaison relationships with other 6G fora and
key technology directions for infrastructure SDOs to complement their efforts.
evolution in four dimensions: cognitive
The following 6G technology areas have been
capacity, responsiveness, scalability, and
highlighted7 for research in Japan: high-density
energy efficiency. Phase 1 work was started to
distributed antennas, spectrum sharing and
identify use cases and technical requirements.
integration with non-terrestrial networks,

D
Cyber-Physical Systems and AI Integrated
THz band propagation studies, THz band
Communications Use Cases have been spelled
devices, THz radio technologies, Extreme
out. Functional architectures have been defined
Massive MIMO, Next generation of HAPS
for an Open All Photonics Network (APN), a
communications with improved reliability and
Data-Centric Infrastructure, (DCI) a Data Hub,
lower latency, integrated wireless sensing and
and fibre sensing for the APN. Requirements
communication, use of AI across the telecom
and proposed solutions for the transport
network, flexible and intelligent networks, RAN-
backbones to support the 6G wireless network
Core convergence, integrated multi-technology
and a reference end-to-end implementation
networks, advanced security and distributed
model have been developed. Open APN, DCI,
cloud.
and Data Hub will evolve with the progress in

Satellite/
LEO/ MEO

HAPS
Sea Area

Desert Area

E- Health E-Education Technology Entertainment

Robotics Surgery Smart Classes High-altitude Metaverse
platform systems Experience
Online clinical Digital Schools
(HAPS)
treatment Real-time Gaming
Real Time Distance
Artificial Intelligence/ Experience
Automated labs & Education
Machine Learning,
pathology
IoT Platform
Teleoperated Driving BS
Experience
Analytics Engine
Car
Intelligent Bots UE

UE

5. https://iowngf.org/ 7. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/binary/pdf/corporate/
6. Vision 2030 technology/whitepaper_6g/DOCOMO_6G_White_PaperEN_
v4.0.pdf
16 6G VISION

ITU’s Focus Group on Network 20308 foresees autonomous operations. The proliferation of
high-resolution immersive multimedia over public and private networks created using
the Internet, smart IoTs, factory automation, Converged Service Platforms will require
and autonomous vehicles, in other words, network intelligence to integrate and manage.
the fusion of the real and digital worlds, to Proof-of-concept trials will require access to
become commonplace with 6G. Internet of at-scale physical and virtual testing facilities

E Things operating at hyper-scale at the system

level, not in isolated environments such as
with embedded measurements. The Focus
Group has published reports on Use Cases
private networks, will require distributed and Key Network Requirements, New Services
intelligence all over the connectivity fabric. and Capabilities, Architectural Framework, and
Information transfer must occur with much Technology, Applications and Market Drivers for
lower latency between machines, robots, the 6G Network of 2030.
and their virtual counterparts to support

Key developments in 6G have been identified leverage AI and ML to deal with analytically
and are being pursued in China (https://www- intractable conditions better. Such a complex
file.huawei.com/-/media/corp2020/pdf/tech- network will be managed without “touch” in
insights/1/6g-white-paper-en.pdf?la=en). It a heavily automated manner. AI will also be
F is forecasted that the next generation 6G
network will support connectivity plus sensing
provided as a service through a converged
distributed cloud and network architecture.
plus AI, with security implemented by design Further, the network will extend into space
throughout the network. The network will through mega-LEO constellations.
employ model and data-driven algorithms to

From a more theoretical point of view 6G must Internet while simultaneously reducing the energy
provide an infrastructure to enable remote-controlled consumed and operating under constraints imposed
mobile robotic solutions for everyone—the Personal by semiconductor technology throws up a wide
Tactile Internet – and not just for businesses. variety of challenges. These mostly cannot be solved
While some enhancements will appear as “5.5G” or using analytical techniques alone and require one
advanced 5G standard, more disruptive advances to account for the reality of networks and hardware.
in the radio technology such as switched Physical A true system understanding is a sine qua non for
Layers (horses for courses) referred to as a “Gearbox advancing the role of information theory in 6G.
PHY” will be possible only in 6G. Seventy-five years
after Shannon advanced fundamental information
theory concepts, several issues remain open to be
addressed on the way toward 6G. Creating the Tactile

8. https://www.itu.int/pub/T-FG-NET2030 10. 6G: The Personal Tactile Internet—and Open Questions for
9. https://www-file.huawei.com/-/media/corp2020/pdf/tech- Information Theory in IEEE BITS Sep 2021 (https://ieeexplore.
insights/1/6g-white-paper-en.pdf?la=en ieee.org/document/9568233
 17

4.2 6G Telecom Network in India

India, along with the world, is contemplating the This Vision document identifies key research
next generation of telecom technologies and the pathways that are being pursued globally and that are
transformations likely to be wrought by them. This particularly relevant for ideating new possibilities in
paper presents a Vision for India’s journey towards the Indian context. These pathways straddle multiple
empowering its people with the most advanced, platforms involving new hardware, software, hitherto
relevant, and affordable next-generation (6G) unutilised spectrum at very high frequencies, AI and
telecom technologies. Hyper-connectivity and better ML engines, quantum photonics and computing
experience delivered by 6G mobile communication technologies, space-based assets, and devices
tech will improve and enable access to required with new user interfaces, sensors and displays that
information, resources (both virtual and physical), promise to unleash the so-called Tactile Internet.
and social services without constraints of time
Terahertz communication with ultra-high speeds will
and physical location. Broad deployment of 6G
be essential for indoor and outdoor (worksite/factory)
tech will reduce differences in regional and social
tether-less applications. Coupled with Intelligent
infrastructure, and in economic opportunities, thereby
Reflective Surfaces to overcome propagation hurdles,
providing alternatives to rural exodus and metro-
wireless communication at these frequencies is
driven urbanization. We expect that 6G will play an
an important focus area to investigate. A flexible,
important role in filling the gap in the availability of
seamless integrated optical and wireless network
e-services between urban and rural communities.
reaching each household, even in remote villages, is
This will subsequently fulfil the UN’s SDGs and
what we should aim for by the end of this decade.
tremendously contribute to improving the quality
The varied demands from wireless communications
and opportunities of human life. By harnessing 6G
in terms of speed, latency, and energy efficiency will
to embody innovations as per our requirements, we
require us to leverage the ever-expanding capabilities
can specifically address the country’s needs and
of semiconductor technology to innovate on a highly
improve the productivity of its people, particularly of
adaptable set of waveforms and protocols that can
those in rural areas for whom telecommunications is
deliver the needed variety. Apart from moving into the
critical to overcome the tyranny of distance created
new spectrum of the Terahertz band, India should also
by modern society. These technologies will provide
explore new avenues in cell-free communications and
immense opportunities for India’s entrepreneurs
extreme MIMO to utilize the available spectrum in the
to deliver new products based on their IP, for both
lower bands much more efficiently. The oncoming
domestic and global markets, thus transforming
integration of Space and Terrestrial networks into one
India into a leading global manufacturer and provider
seamless unified whole provides an opportunity for
of telecommunications solutions with the power to
India to leverage her capabilities in space technology
transform lives and livelihoods.
to plug the gaps in coverage of its vast rural
hinterland and ensure that all Indians have broadband
connectivity no matter where they are.
18 6G VISION

Dense Enhanced Spectral

Integrated Efficiency
Optical
Technologies
Sub-Terahertz and Enabling Edge clouds; supports tactile
Internet, mobile robots, and
Terahertz (THz)
Connectivity AI/ML applications

Integrated Terrestrial and

Non-terrestrial Network Advanced
(NTN) media services

Network Extremely High Reliability & Low Latency

Virtualization Communication (eRLLC)

The impressive strides being made in By nature, telecommunication is standards-based,

telecommunications are with the help of ongoing which ensures that equipment manufactured by
technological leaps in semiconductors, photonics, multiple entities communicates seamlessly with
devices, computing and display technologies. The each other across national boundaries. Therefore,
time is ripe for the Indian telecommunication industry research into next-generation wireless and optical
to leverage its capabilities in optical networking and technologies, next-generation protocols and network
develop robust, cost-effective techniques to take fibre architectures that are key to enabling and bolstering
to the nooks and corners of the country. The industry 6G implementation and adoption, must follow global
needs to utilize its prowess in software to rapidly standards to be considered as global products. The
expand edge computing clouds so that any citizen entire Indian 6G research effort should therefore
can inexpensively deploy compute-intensive AI and dovetail into an equally strong and well-orchestrated
other applications on the go, and make a mark in new standardisation drive. India has made rapid strides
areas such as emerging display, and wearable and in standards-related research in recent years, and
sensor technologies to address specific UI needs of this trend should be amplified. We need to ensure
our applications. Innovations in these spheres can be that global standards adequately incorporate our
leveraged by Indian manufacturers to deliver cost- innovations and address our specific needs. In this
effective competitive products to the entire world. regard, telecommunication standards bodies of our
We should focus on sensors and tactile interfaces country such as TSDSI working in tandem with TEC
that enable skilled tasks to be carried out remotely. and other telecommunications forums have a major
This will be a game-changer for crafts-persons and role to play.
technicians who often travel long distances to reach
their workplaces and complete their tasks.
 19

India is one of the largest telecom markets in the of devices will seek to fuse inputs from multiple
world with a high dependency on wireless technology sensors and multiple devices to obtain a dynamic
for broadband connectivity. Right now, the spectrum representation of the ambience of users or a machine/
is congested, particularly in the low and mid-bands robot. It will extensively leverage AI and ML in this
where the propagation characteristics are favourable. task with some heavy computing on user devices
Apart from innovations in spectrum-efficient and some in the edge cloud. Like humans, machines
communications mentioned earlier, we also need will also be “users” who communicate amongst
to decongest the spectrum and innovate on ways themselves to act in unison as desired by their
to permit the co-existence of mobile broadband human operators. The compute engines at the user
networks with other users in the same bands. end as well as in the edge cloud can be innovatively
Backed by a strong suite of co-existence studies, developed around the DIR-V Indian microprocessor
field measurement campaigns, and pilot trials, India program, with an impregnable security layer inbuilt to
can lead in such efficient shared use of spectrum protect users and applications from cyber-attacks.
across many bands. We must also deploy our While the primary device has been the smartphone
resources in advanced monitoring and management until now, the next generation will witness an
of spectrum with real-time sensor-driven cognitive explosion of all kinds of user devices as well as
spectrum sharing enabled in some bands. Besides, devices that are connected to machines. This vast
as devices move beyond mm-wave to the terahertz diversity of devices calls for a healthy ecosystem for
bands, they can adopt the same bands for ambient developing SoCs by fabless companies/start-ups,
sensing as well, which is very useful for mobile robotic new user interfaces particularly wearable ones, and a
applications. variety of form factors that suit every application. This
presents a big opportunity for India to take a head
While smartphones with their built-in cameras, touch
start in this emerging family of devices and emerge as
screen and other sensors have delivered enormous
a global supplier.
value to their human users, the next generation
20 6G VISION

5
Summaries of 6
Task Forces & their
recommendations
5.1 Multi-Platform Next Generation Networks
The task force dedicated to multi-platform next- promising in a ten-year timeframe. The importance
generation networks deliberated extensively on the of a dense optical network right up to the homes
current global thinking regarding the evolution of the and offices cannot be over-emphasised. Building the
telecom network in the year 2030 and beyond. The wireless network consumes time and resources but
strands were evaluated in the context of India’s own it not only serves the needs of the mobile users but
future needs and growth trajectory over the next also of the nomadic or the static users as well. Going
decade. Depending on the degree of relevance of forward, a seamless integrated optical and wireless
each of these strands in our context, the Task Force network, with wireless fiber-like segments wherever
has emphasized some of the possible evolutionary appropriate, is imperative. Sufficient attention will
paths over others. While evaluating the strands, it have to be paid to GPON network engineering in rural
emphasized those that appeared more realistic and areas.
 21

The explosive growth in data volumes, the multiplicity by the integrated space-terrestrial network more
of access technologies, the deepening of the optical reliably and securely.
access network, the proliferation of edge clouds, and
The very high data rates supported by 6G will likely
the increasing need for content- and user-awareness
provide a platform for realistic e-meetings where
in networks will lead to a more decoupled core
holographic-type or AR/ VR technologies are deployed
network architecture and will increase the use of AI/
along with multi-gigabit-per-sec tether-less links
ML in optimization and intelligent network operation.
to provide a near-physical experience. User-defined
As spectrum gets more heavily used, ever-higher
virtualized air interfaces will enable such platforms to
frequency bands are being explored primarily due to
be invoked even by a mobile user based on the ability
the large bandwidths available and ever-improving
to set up a sufficiently fast, low-latency, low-jitter,
operating frequencies of semiconductor technologies,
reliable link, leading towards what could be described
despite the challenging propagation conditions at
as hyper-personalised wireless networks.
these frequencies. Mitigatory techniques such as
Intelligent Reflective Surfaces may provide some The research efforts over the next few years should
workaround to the poor propagation at very high be aligned toward realising one or more of the highly
frequencies as will massive MIMO with the cell-free promising, scalable and feasible (with high probability)
operation. The air interface may move radically to a technologies/platforms outlined herein. All of these
virtualized user-defined mode enabling the radio to are of great relevance in the Indian context and also
support the specific user requirements for a given have global applicability. Advances made in any of
wireless channel, moving away from the hitherto these areas will not only serve our needs but also give
conservative design for the worst-case wireless India an edge globally. India can use this decade to
channel. The wireless transceiver in many cases may realise its aspiration of being a net global provider of
additionally play the role of a radar sensor to capture telecommunications technology.
the ambient environment around the transceiver.
While the remote operation of machines and robots
may be attempted even with 5G networks in the
coming years, the Tactile Internet for Remote
Operations is a serious possibility a decade from now.
This capability may be used not just for high-end
applications such as remote robotic surgery, but also
for a host of mundane applications in much the way
multimedia communications is used today with the
smartphone for all kinds of applications. This may
require good support from edge computing clouds
that run /AI/ML algorithms and will leverage a user-
defined radio interface to ensure high reliability. The
growth of Industrial IoT in the coming years will drive
the growth of remote operations even if much of it is
simply automation and not tactile. Digital Twins of
complex, real physical systems and networks running
in the edge clouds will enable automated control of
the real system by predictive analysis of future events
based on AI and other techniques.
With the increasing cost-effectiveness of Low Earth
Orbit satellites and new technologies such as HAPS,
it is increasingly likely that non-terrestrial wireless
networks will finally get integrated with the terrestrial
network to offer ubiquitous coverage not only on
ships and aircrafts, but also in rural areas under-
served by the terrestrial network in the Indian context.
The explosive growth forecast in drone usage will
necessitate drone communications to be supported
22 6G VISION

5.2 Multi Disciplinary Innovative Solutions

6G will push the boundaries of communication and gaming. While it is difficult to fully understand the
technology by ushering in bandwidths of 1Tbps implication of these capabilities currently, we need
(about 100 times that of 5G). With latencies of less to identify and create a road map to explore various
than a millisecond, it can revolutionise all interactions, use cases to discover the full potential of 6G as well
like human-to-human, machine-to-machine, and as pave the way for the 6G technology and standards
human-to-machine, and change the way data is development to ensure that they meet the needs of all
stored, processed and used in the future. In addition, identified future use cases.
6G will also incorporate “sensing” as an inherent From a 6G implementation perspective, certain
service - which will also have a profound impact key guiding principles for us to keep in mind are as
on the design and delivery of new technologies and follows:
services in diverse areas such as education, medicine

Equitable Ubiquitous Data

access coverage security and
privacy
Sustainable Cost-
development effectiveness

The task force recommends the strategy of further our understanding of the needs of 6G as
meta-use cases to drive the actual 6G use case well as holistically guide its further development.
selection process from an indicative list given in These use cases can be identified keeping various
the report. Four guiding questions that will help the considerations in mind and especially evolving from
selection process are also discussed in the report. ongoing or planned work for 5G.
Identification of marquee use cases from various
Allocation of reasonable financial resources is
sectors and forming a consortium of partners who
recommended in a public-private partnership model,
can bring an interdisciplinary approach, will help
over three phases:

1 2 3
Translating these into
Basic research in some Finally, supporting
potentially commercialize
well-chosen key areas commercialization and
technologies and
leading to the creation of product roll-outs in
contributing to allied
new IP in Phase I Phase III.
standards in Phase II,

Activities are recommended to be carried out via institutions, through centres of excellence for both
consortium groups involving a judicious mix of “horizontal” technology creation as well as for
academia, industry and appropriate government “vertical” applications and use cases.
 23

5.3 Spectrum
Society’s increasing use of radio-based technologies, wireless technologies in a systematic manner
and the tremendous opportunities for social
• Make spectrum available for 6G technology
development that these technologies provide,
innovations and facilitate ease of doing R&D
highlight the importance of radio-frequency spectrum
and national spectrum management processes. To • Deployment of spectrum efficient technologies
better drive spectrum management initiatives for by all stakeholders including Government, TSPs,
6G, the following objectives were set out by the 6G Enterprise users
Spectrum Policy Task Force - • Encourage spectrum sharing and optimal
• Identify various spectrum needs to enable 6G in the coexistence among various radio services
coming years with a focus on spectrum availability • Position India as a hub of 6G wireless technology
and allocation among various radio services R&D and manufacturing
with reasonable certainty to bridge adoption lag,
maximize socioeconomic benefits and provide • Facilitate enhanced use of wireless technologies in
high-speed broadband through various access enhancing productivity and operational efficiency
technologies to address the digital divide through Industry 4.0 and enterprise digitalization

• Signal the identified 6G spectrum bands for the The table below summarizes an indicative list of
industry to efficiently plan and build wireless Digital India 2030 Mobile and Broadband Policy
infrastructure across sectors and introduce new objectives along with tentative spectrum bands to be
made available.

Three Dimension of 6G Spectrum

Bandwidth

Sufficient
Contiguous
bandwidth per
Network

More than
20 MHz

Frequency
Low Mid High High
(mmWave) (Sub-THz)
24 6G VISION

Table 5.3.1: Digital India 2030 Mobile and Broadband Policy Objectives (indicative)

Spectrum Requirements Spectrum Bands to be

2022 Roadmap 2030 Roadmap (?)
2030 (5G+ and 6G) (?) made available

Likely to double from

the current planned
spectrum quantities <1 GHz Bands
High speed broadband (covering lower, mild, Mid Band: up to 10 GHz
100 Mbps to every citizen
to citizens, Enterprises, millimeter and Tera Hz 6.425-24 GHz Bands
(large coverage of 5G and
public services. bands) Millimetre Bands: 26, 28,
beginning of 6G)
Connect all villages Diverse access 40, 66, 70, 90 GHz, etc.
technologies Mobile, Tera Hz bands
GSO, NGSO, HAPS, HIBS,
etc.

Q, V, E, D, W Bands
High speed backhaul
Free Space Optics
10 Gbps to every GP 500 Gbps to every GP to complement Fibre
6.425-24 GHz Bands
connectivity
Free Space Optics

FWA – Fixed Wireless

Access
Millimeter bands of 37,
(would be a cost-
50, 66 GHz
50% Households with 90% Households with effective option) using
V Band (57-66 GHz)
Broadband High-speed Broadband 5G and E, V Band
6.425-24 GHz Bands
links & other access
Free Space Optics
technologies including
fibre

10 Million public Wi-Fi 50 Million public Wi-Fi New License Exempt 6 GHz, V-Band,
Hotspots Hotspots Spectrum Bands > 95 GHz Tera Hz Bands

25 Billion IoT Devices New License Exempt

5 Billion IoT Devices; 915-935 MHz
Smart Enterprises Spectrum for M2M
Enterprise Digitization V Band
& Factores (Smart connectivity to power
(ITS, Urban 95 GHz bands
Infrastructure Rural and smart cities and
Management) Thz bands
Urban) communities

Extremely low power

Connected and Intelligent Hundreds of bands to be
Personal and Home intelligent devices of
Living identified continuously
Connectivity (SRDs) all kinds connecting
based on innovation
everything around

Defined IMT and

UAVs in Delivery Services, unlicensed bands with 1 GHz Bands
UAVs with limited action Logistics, Disaster ultra-reliability and Band: up to and above
Management control (application 10 GHz
specific)
 25

In accordance with the above objectives, the and Intelligent Reflector Surfaces (IRS) using
‘spectrum for 6G’ has been comprehensively analyzed mmWave and THz bands. A few countries such
from bands, services and ecosystem perspectives as the USA, UK, etc. have made some of the THz
including current gap areas in the system. As bands’ licenses exempt for some periods both for
spectrum is a resource with an interplay of different commercial deployment and R&D.
generations of technologies, all spectrum bands
• Set up spectrum sandboxes as envisaged in NDCP
require a review of its efficient use among radio
is a way forward to enable R&D and testing freely
service users to enable sufficient spectrum for new-
outdoors.
era services.
• An opportunity to take lead in new technology
To enable the above, specific band-wise
domains such as sensing, orthogonal sharing,
recommendations have been made taking note of
broadband-broadcast convergence, etc., where
global developments and the Indian opportunity
there is significant research work in progress and
to use spectrum as a key resource to attract R&D
some products are also being piloted.
investments and to maximize spectrum use in line
with NDCP-2018 objectives. Building demand in new • Strengthen WPC with state-of-the-art spectrum
bands is an important aspect, which is also critically management software to enable spectrum audit,
studied as part of the activity. The following are some interference management and dynamic database
of the key recommendations- systems. Capacity building is another important
area to enable necessary competencies in
• Review the spectrum bands in lower, mid and
spectrum management.
mmWave bands and announce respective actions
to enable maximization of the spectrum and use Structural mechanisms for coexistence studies,
and socioeconomic benefits. spectrum technology infrastructure and capacity
building are critical to creating a systematic approach.
• Open up a few bands to generate demand (for
This will not only help in studying the bands in an
example 450-470 MHz, 526-612 MHz, 31-31.3
ongoing manner but will also make them available on
GHz, etc.).
time to minimise the adoption gap. These aspects are
• Expand and position a larger mid-band to meet the elaborated on as part of the Task Force report. Apart
requirements of 5G+ and 6G technologies. This from the need for representation in WRC-23, there is
requires initiating a new inter-ministerial process of a need to have an institutional mechanism to enable
repurposing several bands like that has been done coexistence studies in an ongoing manner. Going
earlier. forward, a participatory and transparent mechanism
is proposed to be taken going forward considering its
• Enterprise use of 5G, 5G+ and 6G services is going
critical need to build consensus quickly on different
to be mainstream and the spectrum Vision needs to
bands and the feasibility of the coexistence of
be expanded in making spectrum available across
different radio services and users.
the bands and for various use- cases. Assigning
spectrum to private captive networks including Further, generation of demand in new and greenfield
coexistence bands is the need of the hour. bands (such as 450-470 MHz, 612-703 MHz and
new IMT bands including 37-43.5 GHz, 47.2-48.2
• Delicensed or license-exempt bands are key as
GHz, 66-71 GHz) is necessary, similar to spectrum
a public good to enable innovation and gigabit
horizon program. This will ensure that the industry
public Wi-Fi by exploiting technology innovation for
is incentivized to carry out R&D and build systems
example Wi-Fi 6E or WiGig etc. In line with this, the
to commercialize them. This will subsequently
lower part of the 6GHz band and at least 4.32 GHz
enhance the value of the band and will help create
in the V band should be delicensed.
business models out of it. Some of the bands
• Tera Hz research should be encouraged mentioned in this executive summary are only part
considering the large swath of spectrum from 90 of the recommendations and the Taskforce report
GHz to 3000 GHz. Industry and academia-driven comprehensively presents all the bands and specific
research testbeds should be established to bring actions.
focus on 5G+ & 6G driven active antenna systems
26 6G VISION

5.4 Devices
6G technology will have significant advancements life, fulfilling the communication needs of humans
in imaging, presence technologies, and location as well as intelligent machines. 6G will contribute to
awareness and the computational infrastructure of 6G an efficient, human-friendly, and sustainable society
will automatically select the ideal place for computing, through ever-present intelligent communication. The
including artificial intelligence (AI) driven decisions following four main drivers will emerge for the 2030
regarding data storage, processing, and sharing. era:
Future networks will be pervasive components of our

1 2 3 4
Limitless connectivity
Accelerated for meeting
Trustworthiness of Sustainability through
automation and the demands
the systems that will the efficiency of
digitization to simplify of intensifying
be at the heart of mobile technology,
and improve our communication
society,
everyday lives, and anywhere, anytime,
and for anything.

It is expected that 6G will provide the ultimate or a robot-area network involving connecting
experience for all through hyper-connectivity multiple parts of a machine such as a controller
involving seamless interactions between humans and and its drives
machines. New themes are likely to emerge that will
• With the targeting of (Sub-)Terahertz spectrum, 6G
shape 6G devices, such as:
devices will not only be communication endpoints;
• New man-machine interfaces created by a set but will also be able to act as active network nodes
of multiple local devices acting in unison; We will in a data path and, ultimately, form standalone
have more intuitive interfaces, with access through networks.
gesturing rather than typing.
• Future applications need to leverage high-
• Ubiquitous universal computing distributed among performance connectivity, fulfilling required
multiple local devices and the cloud; bandwidth, dynamic behaviours, resilience, and
further demands. Network capabilities need to be
• Multi-sensory data fusion to create multi-verse
available end-to-end and match the evolution of
maps and new mixed-reality experiences;
applications and internet technology. This affects,
• Precision sensing and actuation to control the for instance, application–network collaboration,
physical world. resilience mechanisms, the evolution of the end-
• A certain class of devices will be extremely low- to-end transport protocols, and ways to deal with
power and potentially battery-less, relying on the latency.
network to power the device. • Future services will require connectivity everywhere
• The end device will evolve in many scenarios and in everything. 6G networks can support trillions
to be a network of devices or a sub network. As of embeddable devices and provide trustworthy
examples, we can imagine a machine-area network connections that are available all the time.
 27

• 6G connectivity can help India to leapfrog to integration among many others. In particular,
become a highly industrialized society. While the disaster management with improved resilience,
technology adoption improves productivity, and intelligent transportation for de-congestion, and
quality of life, for rural and urban citizens, achieving efficient use of waterways are relevant in the Indian
leadership in the development of technology will context.
create immense job opportunities in the country
• New industry verticals will emerge driven by
• 6G Connectivity can help India address many 6G technologies, these may include Vehicle
social issues like law and order, healthcare, to Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure
knowledge-led job creation, improvements in living (V2I) Communication across road transport,
standards of the citizens in the urban and rural trains, airlines, personal, community and public
areas, improvements in government and citizen transport sectors, holographic communications,
interaction through smart cities, internet of things, tactile and haptic internet applications, telehealth
digitalization and G2C services, better governance including diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation
of urban, rural, border areas, islands, forests, activities. Extremely high-rate information access,
and animal kingdoms, vast ocean geography, connectivity for everything, convergence of
sovereignty and security, cyber and physical networking and computing among others.

Vision of 6G Device Universe

System Creation
• Non-Terrestrial Network • Agriculture, Environment
Devices Monitoring
Systems • Remote Near Physical • Metaverse
Controllers • Hologram, Tactile

• Robots Cameras
• Drones, High Altitude • Energy Harvesting
Equipment Devices • Small Cells (Nano/Femto
• E-Healthcare, Diagnostic Cells, WL-GPON)

• Phones, Tablets, E-Books, • Universal Trackers,

Laptops Sensor Nodes
UE • Dongles • Wearables, Body
• Fixed Wireless CPE Embedded Devices
(Indoor, Outdoor)

• Ultra High-Speed • RF, GaN, Photonics

Chips, Interface / Connectivity • Modern
Components, Ips
• SoC (Application Specific)
Interfaces • Clocks, Timing Chips
• Modules, Plug-Ins
IP Creation

6G Standards, NW / Performance Definitions

6G Communication Technology Candidates
Problem to Solve -> Innovations, Inventions -> 6G Application, Use Cases
28 6G VISION

Our Vision for developing 6G devices is based on 6G standards. However, the intermediate deliverables
standards, network and performance expectations should target compliance with 5G-advanced
and the use cases that the devices are expected to specifications, viz. 3GPP Rel-17/18 and beyond.
support. We propose an inside-out approach involving
• The funding should cover the development
developing the required silicon level IPs, interfaces,
of modem chipsets and end-to-end systems
and chips and enabling the leading applications to use
including software/firmware, security elements
the existing semiconductor and devices ecosystem.
and applications. Adequate funding should also
We may also own and steer a couple of strategic
be given to emerging technologies such as AR/
and Mission critical components, chips, devices and
VR, next-generation sensors, human-machine
applications to showcase end-to-end capabilities as
interfaces, etc.
part of the 6G test bed program.
• The funding should be prioritized for the
Regarding R&D funding for this purpose, a majority of
development of
the MEITY R&D funding in the semiconductor domain
is limited to processor design. There is limited R&D i. SOCs: Modem, RF ICs (Sub 6, mmWave and
push towards indigenization of 5G-adv/6G modem higher frequencies)
chipset. Considering the current domestic scenario, ii. Multiple classes of SOCs to address low-end and
significant R&D investments are essential to achieve high-end IoT applications
an Atmanirbhar Bharat in the 5G-adv/ 6G device
space with the following key considerations. iii. AI processors

• 6G R&D funding to have a 10-year horizon with iv. End-to-End Devices including the applications
the outcomes aligned with the IMT-2030 6G
 29

5.5 Standardisation
6G technologies are likely to become viable and Contributing to the development of global 5G
impactful over the next ten years and will support standards in 3GPP, ITU, etc., India as a nation has
ubiquitous instant communications, pervasive gained relevant experience with Indian companies
intelligence, immersive experiences, and the Internet also having developed core competencies in certain
of Things & Senses. 6G is expected to play a key role areas. During this period, there is also a greater
in the evolution of society towards the 2030s and shall understanding of the Standards Development
also play a role in supporting the global sustainability Lifecycle especially that followed within 3GPP
goals, including India’s objective to contribute towards including aspects related to its workflow and working
climate emergencies. In this context, developing a procedures. By leveraging this experience, India can
strong technology that meets Indian interests and contribute to the development of 6G standards in
values, as well as economic and global societal goals, various international bodies such as 3GPP, ITU, IEC,
is the key. Secure and trustworthy India-based 6G IEEE, one M2M, etc., and can make its mark in the
infrastructure will help to ensure the sovereignty of global standardization space and ensure a good
India in terms of critical technologies and systems on number of key innovations are from India. To assess
one hand and will make sure that our primary values the ability of Indian Comm Tech Companies entities to
such as privacy, trust, transparency, accountability, participate in 6G standards development, inputs were
security, and societal interests are considered on the collected from a select set of Indian entities based on
other hand. questions that we asked. (provided by VoICE). Based
on the inputs from indian entities, it is felt that R&D
6G is also expected to integrate terrestrial, aerial and
may be promoted in specific areas of competencies
maritime communications into a robust network
available in India, prioritizing the softwarisation of
that would be more reliable, faster, and can support
networks especially leveraging India’s strength in AI/
a massive number of devices with ultra-low latency
ML.
requirements. Researchers around the globe are
proposing the following cutting-edge technologies as An Indian initiative led by industry and with support
the key technologies in the realization of beyond 5G from the government will be essential for balancing
(B5G) and 6G communication: the efforts of these others ensuring our 6G leadership.
Government, industry, and academia will need to
i. Quantum Communication/ Quantum Machine
coordinate more closely in identifying research
Learning (QML),
priorities. This should begin with a concerted effort
ii. Immersive XR, by industry, academia, and government to develop a
iii. Tera-Hertz Communication research agenda for 6G leadership in areas of shared
interest. As a first step in the process, the government
iv. Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine should facilitate a stakeholder’s session jointly with
Learning (ML), industry and academic members to engage in a
v. Advanced Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) dialogue identifying mutual 6G research priorities.
like blockchain etc.,
30 6G VISION

This task force proposes a 6G program with the following attributes:

A 6G program be created with a broad category of ecosystem partners including operators,

vendors, hyper scalers, academia, and Government research labs, that is agile and quickly
adaptable to the evolving needs for driving 6G research and innovations, building on and
strengthening India’s competencies. (e.g., Next Gen Alliance was set up outside the ATIS, with its
own working procedures)

The program should identify through a consensus-driven approach, the topics/themes of

interest in 6G based on business and societal needs. The program should cover all aspects of
technology development including early research on ideas, proof-of-concept, standardization,
trials & testbeds, etc.

Govt. of India should take a lead in streamlining the process and fund research programs on the
themes identified.

The program should take a lead in preparing well-defined measurable KPIs to assess the
success of these program fundings.

The program should have cohesive policies to meet the common goal of national leadership,
national 6G Roadmap, Sustainability goals, etc.

The program should have a timeline that aligns with the timeline of various 6G standards efforts
across the globe.

The program should take a lead in developing consensus on solutions of interest and pursue the
standardisation efforts at the corresponding international standardization bodies.

The program should facilitate early trials and prototype development, aimed at developing
proofs-of-concept and supporting the domestic manufacturing process.

The infrastructure including the optical fiber network should be made ready before deployment
of 6G keeping in mind the hyper capability of the technology
 31

5.6 R&D Finance

On the whole, telecommunication technology building and development of the telecom
products require significantly large funding and long ecosystem focusing on relevant technologies and
gestation periods for R&D and commercialization. solutions required for 6G implementation.
The stages move from ideation, research, incubation,
• Bridge the gap between R&D and
prototyping, lab testing, miniaturization, field testing,
commercialization of products and solutions with
hardening, securitization, outdoor readiness, licenses
assistance from government bodies and the start-
for background IPs, Standardization, etc. In the cases
up ecosystem.
of deep tech SoCs (System on Chips), funding needs
tend to be higher due to multiple layers of prototyping. • Enable commercialization of developed
technologies for domestic and global markets to
India has been witnessing the emergence of several
ensure a distinctive presence in the telecom sector
small companies, start-ups and academia in niche
both today and in the coming years
areas which are adding newer avenues for positioning
India on the global digicom technology landscape. • Build competencies far beyond 6G communication
The outcome of the supply-based assessment technologies.
carried out by DoT a few years back reflects on the The key recommendations to promote R&D in this
available competencies across industry and academia regard and realise the above state are as follows:
(indigenous 5G Testbed). It firmly established
that with suitable and sufficient funding, policy • The programs under 6G should be planned
handholding can enable Indian players to play an to encourage building technology ownership,
important role in global partnerships in 6G and beyond developing IPRs and SEPs, and moving from
programs with significant value add to the global prototyping to commercialization as part of the
value chain. project roadmap. CDoT, along with other research
institutions, are envisaged to play a significant
R&D funding in telecom will be focused on collaborative role.
strengthening the following enablers of the 6G
technology: • Funding needs are diverse for academia, industry,
and research organizations to build capacities and
• Promote the ecosystem for research, design, competencies in different stages of R&D for the 6G
prototyping, development, proof of concept testing, program in the coming ten years. Different funding
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) creation, field mechanisms and instruments should hence be
testing, security, certification, and manufacturing. adopted with flexibility and liberal norms to suit the
• Develop and establish relevant standards to unique requirements of all without adding to the
meet national requirements as well as those of complexity of the funding structure/ mechanism
international standardization bodies. • Funding must also cover different activities under
• Enable proliferation of affordable broadband and research, design, prototyping, development, proof
mobile services and positioning state-of-the-art of concept testing, IPR creation, standardization
communication technologies for rural and remote (including pre-standardization) standards
areas to bridge the Indian digital divide. participation, field testing, security, and certification
in the R&D process so that a clear identification and
• Create synergies within the Academia, Research
breakdown of involved costs can be mapped and
Institutes, Start-ups and Industry for capacity
planned accordingly
32 6G VISION

• The projects may include Research Testbeds, R&D a. Inter-ministerial committee: The mechanism
in products such as network elements, antennas, could commence its work in line with other R&D
reflectors, systems, devices, SoCs, etc and at a later funding schemes like DCIS etc., with TCOE India
stage, may extend to large-scale trials, CoEs for as its PMU.
use cases, etc. As part of the funding, seed funding
b. A Section 8 Company or Society may be set up
for joint international projects may be explored
exclusively as a delivery mechanism for 6G and
on bilateral and multilateral platforms. The CoEs
other telecom-related programs; Alternatively,
should have sufficient autonomy to collaborate
existing agencies of other ministries may also be
with the industry to deliver market-ready solutions
considered on a need basis.
with clear KPIs to measure success.
c. Telecom-focused VC funds and Fund of funds
• Since the inception, i.e., the research stage, industry
are envisaged for large-size high-risk funding
participation from technology companies and
needs.
system integrators should be envisaged to enable
swift and agile scaling of R&D to higher TRL levels. Entities eligible for R&D funding, indicative process,
and administrative structure are also identified to
• Apart from technologies that are upgrades of 5G+,
enable early take off the program.
several new research projects may be necessary
to work on cross-platform projects requiring,
and ultimately triggering, significant funding to
contribute to IPRs in 6G research.
• A program to identify industry champions to
facilitate funding on liberal terms may also be
initiated. It should also identify “academia clusters”
for taking up programs based on competencies
in different verticals and ‘system integrators’ for
orchestrating new generation products.
• Constitute an Apex Level Advisory board, with
experts from India and across the world, for
advising on programs and funding needs with
members from relevant ministries to enable global
and political synergies in funding-related programs.
• Create a large corpus of R&D funds to facilitate
various funding instruments such as grants,
loans, VC fund, fund of funds, etc. A pool of Rs.
10,000 Cr is envisaged to be created to service
these requirements for the next 10 years. The
government may take lead in creating this fund,
considering the budding technology ecosystem
in the country, to strengthen it for 6G and beyond
technologies.
• Two tiers of grants are proposed i.e. up to Rs. 20 Cr
to service funding requirements ranging from small
to medium and grants above Rs. 20 Cr for High
Impact projects.
• Administrative setup for vetting R&D projects may
include the following depending on the size and
scope.
33
34 6G VISION

6
Key Recommendations to
Enable 6G Mission
The Six Task Forces a spectrum that will
deliberated on various enable the ongoing and
aspects of emerging oncoming explosion in
telecom technologies wireless communications,
and platforms in the next the need to contribute
decade. They focused on our innovations to global
innovations that leverage standards and ensure
these new technologies interoperability, and
to deliver solutions, the requirement of adequate
device ecosystem that will financing to carry out the 6G
support these innovations, Mission.
 35

The Task Forces’ key recommendations to pursue to communications at scale and very high data rates
enable the 6G Mission have been summarised below: along with adaptive radio interfaces, advanced/
novel antenna techniques (Ultra massive MIMO)
• Innovative funding mechanisms to support
and increased virtualisation
industry, startups, academia, and national
laboratories to undertake R&D and pursue select • Participation and contribution to global standards
risky pathways in search of breakthroughs forums to ensure interoperability and global reach
of our innovation
• Innovative solutions through startups and CoEs
that leverage the emerging 6G technologies to • Fiber-broadband to every home and integrated
address key verticals such as transport, water, dense wireless and optical network, with wireless
power grid and renewables, healthcare, education, communications primarily serving mobile users
digital twins and smart cities
• Tactile Internet and Remote Operations of
• Shared use of spectrum, particularly in the higher machines/ robots, along with near-realistic 3D
frequency bands where the propagation is more rendering of virtual participants in meetings
akin to that of light
• Space-Terrestrial Integration for ubiquitous
• Reassessment and rationalisation of congested coverage
spectrum bands, and adoption of captive networks
• Combined communication and sensing in (Sub-)
for Industry 4.0 and enterprise use cases in hitherto
Terahertz bands
less used bands
• SoCs for modems, radios, AI processors
• New multi-sensor man-machine interfaces and
devices leveraging edge cloud computing resources The Task Force Reports in the annexures provide
and AI to deliver tactile Internet, ambience details of the background and thought processes
awareness and realistic 3D experiences leading up to these recommendations.

• mmWave and (Sub-)Terahertz (THz) wireless

36 6G VISION

7
Mission 6G

The 6G TIG has enunciated innovation efforts necessary

a clear Vision for India to achieve this objective.
in a 6G-driven world. Based on the Vision 6G
The importance of the outlined herein, a Mission
impending innovations and 6G shall be launched with
developments in 6G cannot the requisite organisational
be overstated for a country and financial resources
poised to become a global to realise the Vision.
leader in the 6G revolution Existing organisational
and one of the top three strengths will be leveraged
global economies. It is to the maximum and new
critical for India to be among governance structures will
the drivers of these new be kept lean to ensure agility
technological developments and speed of execution.
to best address the The research and start-up
country’s unique needs, as ecosystem will be tapped to
well as to become a leading bring innovations and new
supplier of affordable and ideas to the table. Adequate
transformative solutions provision for financial
globally. A Mission-oriented support will be made
approach is thus imperative through explicit budgetary
to take up the diverse allocation to ensure that the
technology development efforts undertaken are not
initiatives, studies and hobbled for want of funds.
 37

The Mission can be divided into two phases:

i. Phase 1 from 2022-2025 (3 years) ii. Phase 2 from 2025-2030 (5 years)

In Phase 1, support will be provided to explorative forums and meetings and collaborations with similar
ideas, risky pathways, and proof-of-concept tests. Missions worldwide.
Further, ideas and concepts that show promise
The apex body will also assess the procedural
and potential for acceptance by the global peer
roadblocks that often come in the way of Mission-
community will be adequately supported to develop
mode research, such as processes for timely
them to completion, establish their use cases and
approval and release of funds and permits for global
benefits, and create implementational IPs and
procurement when justified, well-orchestrated support
testbeds leading to commercialization as part of
at international forums when needed, as well as
Phase 2. An apex body is to be constituted to lay
support for IP and value creation. It will also provide
down the Phase-wise objectives, select the research
assessments and feedback to the government to fine-
and innovation pathways to be explored, and approve
tune the budgetary and policy support for the Mission
financial support for them. Towards this, the apex
and provide corrective actions as necessary. The
body may constitute expert groups to generate the
body will create a governance structure that is as lean
calls for proposals or address technical challenges.
as possible while leveraging existing organisational
This will be followed by the technical assessment
capabilities in the entire telecom sector, both within
of research and innovation proposals and will be
government as well as in industry and academia-
rounded off with appropriate review mechanisms for
driven sectoral bodies. This structure must be entirely
assessing progress and milestones. The apex body
Mission-based and should dissolve itself once the
shall approve and fund proposals and initiatives with
Mission is complete.
the help of the technical groups.
As a prelude to the launch of Mission 6G, the
Proposals and initiatives will leverage the creative
government may consider the recommendations of
impulses of the widest cross-section of the country,
the 6G TIG for approval in full or in part. It may also
ranging from leading academic and research
constitute the apex body to oversee the Mission and
institutions to companies and start-ups, to young
approve the budget for the Mission split into two
students who are unburdened by the wisdom of
phases. Timeliness is the overarching requirement
“what will not work”. A thorough appraisal and
while executing this Mission. A successful effort or
review process as described above will separate the
project may yet yield minimal or no returns if delayed
proposals that are well thought through from those
in execution. Given the criticality of timeliness, the
that are based on the flavour of the day.
apex body must be tasked with ensuring this and
The apex body will also set up coordination efforts empowered to modify processes and procedures as
between the research initiatives being undertaken and needed to remove roadblocks.
the sectoral organisations such as TSDSI, TEC, WPC,
Mission 6G is fully aligned with the national Vision of
Start-up India, TDB and others that provide support
Atmanirbhar Bharat and it seeks to empower every
for standardization, representation and participation
Indian to become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in their
at ITU, spectrum needs, incubation, technology
lives. At the same time, it ensures that India takes
development support, etc. Such coordination is critical
its rightful place in the world as a leading supplier of
for an all-of-nation approach to the Mission, without
advanced telecom technologies and solutions that are
which the Vision outlined cannot be realized. It will
affordable and contribute to the global good. Mission
also ensure sufficient visibility to the nation’s 6G
6G is thus timed just right for India’s Aazadi ka Amrit
Mission globally through participation in international
Kaal.
38 6G VISION

8
Annexures

Task Force Reports

 39

6G Taskforce Report:
Multi-platform Next Generation
Networks
 40

1. Background
Task Forces under Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G) were constituted vide DoT Letter No.6-
1/2021-IC dated 30th Dec 2021 for inputs to TIG-6G. One of the Task Force was on “Multi-platform Next
Generation Networks”.

The Terms of reference of this Task Force are as follows:

• Development of Network Elements of Multiplatform Next Generation Networks

• Integrated Optical and Wireless Network (referred to as Wireless GPON)
• Spectrum Hyper-Efficiency in Networks
• Tactile Internet Remote Operation (referred to as remote near-physical activity)
• Space-Terrestrial Integrated Network (referred to as LEO Satellite Overlay/ Geo Synchronous Satellite
based Overlay)
• Drone Communications/ High Altitude Platforms technology
• Any other items in the scope of 6G activities and overall deliverables

2. Executive Summary
The Task Force deliberated extensively on the current global thinking regarding evolution of telecom
network in the year 2030 and beyond. The strands were evaluated in the context of India’s own future needs
and growth trajectory over the next decade. Depending on the degree of relevance of each of these strands
in our context, the Task Force has emphasized some of the possible evolutionary paths. While evaluating
the strands, it emphasized on those that appeared more realistic and promising in a ten-year timeframe.
The importance of a dense optical network in homes and offices cannot be over-emphasized. This takes
time and resources to build, and the wireless network continues to not only serve the needs of a mobile
user but nomadic or static user as well. Going forward, a seamless integrated optical and wireless network,
with wireless fiber-like segments wherever appropriate, is imperative. Sufficient attention will have to be
paid to GPON network engineering in rural areas.
The explosive growth in data volumes, multiplicity of access technologies, deepening of the optical access
network, proliferation of edge clouds, and increasing need for content and user-awareness will lead to a
more decoupled core and network architecture, and increased use of AI/ML in optimization and intelligent
network operations.
As spectrum gets more heavily used, ever-higher frequency bands are being explored primarily due to the
large bandwidths available and ever-improving operating frequencies of semiconductor technologies,
despite the challenging propagation conditions at these frequencies. Mitigatory techniques such as
Intelligent Reflective Surfaces may provide some workarounds of poor propagation at very high frequencies
as well as massive MIMO with cell-free operation. The Air Interface may move radically to a virtualized user-
defined mode enabling the radio to support the specific user requirements for a given wireless channel,
moving away from the hitherto conservative design for the worst-case wireless channel. The wireless
transceiver in many cases may additionally play the role of a radar sensor to capture the ambient
environment around the transceiver.
While the remote operation of machines and robots may be attempted even with 5G networks in the coming
years, the Tactile Internet for Remote Operations is a serious possibility after a decade from now. This
capability may be used not just for high-end applications such as remote robotic surgery, but for a host of
mundane applications in a similar way to multimedia communications is used today with the smartphone
 41

for all kinds of applications. This may require good support from edge computing clouds that run ML/AI
algorithms and will leverage a user-defined radio interface to ensure high reliability. The growth of Industrial
IoT in the coming years will drive the growth of remote operations even if much of it is simply automation
and not tactile. Digital Twins of complex, real physical systems and networks running in the edge clouds
will enable automated control of the real system by predictive analysis of future events based on AI and
other techniques.
With the increasing cost-effectiveness of Low Earth Orbit satellites and new technologies such as HAPS, it
is likely that non-terrestrial wireless networks will finally get integrated with the terrestrial network to offer
ubiquitous coverage not only on ships and aircraft but in the Indian context, to rural areas under-served by
the terrestrial network. The explosive growth forecast in drone usage will necessitate drone
communications to be supported by the integrated space-terrestrial network in a reliable and secure
manner.
The very high data rates supported by the next-generation network are likely to provide a platform for
realistic e-meetings where holographic-type or AR/VR technologies are deployed along with multi-gigabit-
per-sec tether-less links to provide a near-physical experience. User-defined virtualized air interfaces will
enable such platforms to be invoked even by a mobile user based on the ability to set up a sufficiently fast,
low-latency, low-jitter, reliable link, leading toward what could be described as hyper-personalized wireless
networks.
The research efforts over the next few years should be aligned toward realizing one or more of the highly
promising, scalable, and feasible (with high probability) technologies/platforms outlined herein. All of these
are of great relevance in the Indian context and also have global applicability. Advances made in any of
these areas will not only serve our needs but also give India an edge, globally. India can use this decade to
realize its aspiration of being a net global provider of telecommunications technology.

2.1 Development of Network Elements of Multiplatform Next Generation Networks

The 5G core network architecture having well-defined virtualized network elements enables support for
increased throughput demand, reduced latency, and increased reliability as per requirements of various
applications and services that 5G must support. The new 5G core utilizes cloud-aligned, service-based
architecture (SBA) that spans across all 5G functions and interactions including authentication, security,
session management, and aggregation of traffic from end devices. The 5G core network has been designed
from scratch to include Service Based Architecture, network slicing, mobile edge computing, etc. that bring
flexibility, easy integration with third-party software, easy provision of services belonging to different
verticals, improved QOS, etc. It will enable mobile operators to serve IoT (Internet of Things) use cases,
ultra-reliable, low latency connections as well as use cases pertaining to enhanced mobile broadband.
The 5G Radio Access Network caters to multiple categories of applications that require high reliability and
low latency using the Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), Massive Machine Type
Communications (mMTC), and Ultra Mobile Broadband (eMBB). It employs massive MIMO extensively to
achieve high spectrum efficiency. For the first time, the 5G network forays into the mm-wave band with
wideband channels having a bandwidth of 400 MHz While the radio propagation characteristics in this band
are not as favorable as in the lower bands, the antennas do become smaller enabling very large number to
be deployed in an array, and the data rates achievable are impressive.
The next-generation (6G) network is anticipated to make several major leaps forward, and the network
elements belonging to multiple platforms such as RAN, Cloud, Edge Cloud, optical network, terahertz
wireless nodes, and new user device types will be required to inter-operate seamlessly to make the new
applications and use cases a reality. In 6G, Multi-platform Network elements have to work at very high
frequencies, bandwidths, and data rates, provide ultralow latency where needed, support programmability,
 42

and provide high computational power, high reliability and security. These are dealt with extensively in the
following sections dealing with specific capabilities envisaged in the next-generation 6G network.

2.2 Integrated Optical and Wireless Network

The network architecture currently in vogue uses an optical fibre network for backhauling the data to the
routers and data centres, and a wireless network for mobile subscriber access. Optical fibre is increasingly
being extended for providing higher data-rate connectivity not just in offices, but in homes too using Gigabit
Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology. Within offices and homes, Wi-Fi provides tether-free access
to users. While optical fiber backhaul from cellular base stations is the preferred mode due to the ever-
increasing data rates supported by the wireless systems, wireless backhaul continues to be used where
optical fiber connectivity has not yet been provided.
As data consumption by users grows exponentially, the desired network configuration is an optical fiber in
every office/home and ultra-high-speed / reliable / low-latency (all three desirable features or some
combination thereof) wireless access for mobile users. Given the ever-increasing user appetite for data, it
is wise not to overload the mobile access network with indoor users who could very well be served by an
optical network reaching into the office/home. Since densification of the optical network takes time,
wireless access continues to serve indoor users as well in many homes and offices.
One of the thrust areas for the future network is maximal optical fiber penetration in offices, shops, and
homes. When water, electricity, and even gas are being piped to every home, there is no reason not to
extend optical connectivity too. However, the outdoor plant engineering for the last-mile OFC with
terminations every 10-15m, and with sufficient robustness against frequent digging, construction activities,
etc, remains to be fine-tuned. Just as electricity is supplied with overhead cables in certain areas, the last-
mile overhead OFC deployment option must also be engineered in a robust fashion (e.g., new fiber designs
with a low bending radius could be developed). A decision has been made to take OFC to every village in
the country. It is the right time to work out the best-engineered solution to extend GPON to every home in
the village including the dwellings build under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
While building such a deep and dense OFC network, it is to be expected that providing 100% Optical
connectivity may not be technically or economically feasible in certain areas or sections at a given point of
time. This is where tightly integrated optical and wireless networks play an important role. New wireless
technology in the mm-wave, E-, V-, and terahertz bands is expected to provide multi-gigabit speeds akin to
optical systems. It is also fairly easy to “drop” multiple links on a wireless “bus” similar to GPON. It is worth
noting that GPON itself is evolving to higher rates such as XGSPON (10 Gbps) and HS-PON (50 Gbps).
There is great interest globally in an integrated optical and wireless network (see, for example,
https://iowngf.org/) which is managed and re-configured intelligently along with a host of distributed
computing resources. Thus, a judicious combination of ultra-high-bitrate wireless technology in new mm-
wave and terahertz bands and optical technology, designed to interoperate seamlessly, can provide India
with the flexible and cost-effective solution to take broadband to every home and office within the next ten
years.
It is also anticipated that quantum communication techniques will become more common-place in the ever-
expanding optical network to provide an enhanced level of security.

2.3 Core Network

In conjunction with the proliferation of the mobile cellular network in the country, there also has been
tremendous growth in mobile data consumption. The key factors that drive this growth in the country are
increased usage of smartphones, availability of a variety of mobile applications, and limited deployment of
fixed-line infrastructure. Mobile phones are the primary or only means of data consumption even from the
 43

home or workplace. Even a conservative estimate indicates a huge consumption to the tune of a few
exabytes per day by 2030, when the deployment of IMT-2030 or the 6th Generation mobile communications
system (6G) may start. In order to support the very large number of users including machines, and to
support extremely large data transfer volumes, we will need an immensely flexible and scalable core
network as an integral part of the 6G system.
The 5G core network has been designed from scratch incorporating technologies and design principles
such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), network slicing, service-
based architecture (SBA), and control and user plane separation. Among other capabilities, these
technologies and principles bring flexibility, platform independence, cloud-native deployment, easy
integration with third-party software, provisioning of services belonging to different verticals, and support
for diverse QoS requirements of applications and services. The 5G system also has a converged core with
a common interface between the access and the core network enabling easy integration of diverse access
technologies within a single 5G network. While these techniques would continue to be the bedrock of the
6G core, the core network may need to evolve further in order to support the emerging diversity and the
required data volume in the 6G network.
The recent advent of cloud computing and network functions virtualization has resulted in the emergence
of network cloudification. Furthermore, with the proliferation of edge computing, computing resources
inside a network now extend from a centralized cloud to the network edge, providing almost ubiquitous
computing power. However, the computing capability of a single network edge site is normally limited and
cannot be flexibly expanded. Future networks may require multiple distributed network edge sites to
interconnect and collaborate with each other. Orchestration capabilities that are computing-aware will need
to be supported.
With the advent of social media platforms, AR/VR use cases, etc., the users are also more content-aware.
IETF has proposed Information-Centric Networks (ICN) as a paradigm to make networks content-centric
than the current approach of being host-aware networks are expected to improve the network efficiency
and satisfy ever-growing data demands of the users
Design principles and technologies such as disaggregation, edge computing, incorporation of diverse and
complementary access technologies, user-centric design enabling concurrent usage of a large number of
access links/technologies, and usage of AI/ML techniques are likely to play a significant role in this
evolution. The 6G core is likely to be integrated with an ever-larger number of access technologies,
terrestrial and non-terrestrial, unicast and broadcast, licensed and unlicensed access, etc. The usage of
technologies, that support network softwarization, such as SDN, NFV, SBA, network slicing etc. will gain
further momentum. These will be complemented by AI/ML technology, which is likely to play an important
role in the performance optimization of the 6G core.] AI/ML-driven protocol and network design will impart
greater flexibility. In addition, the enablement of localized (or edge-based) service delivery with a reduced
number of network functions in the data path (possibly involving only access network functions) is
expected to be an important design principle for the 6G core. It leads to a decoupled access and core
network architecture, unlike the existing 5G architecture, and may bring immense benefits both in terms of
reduced end-to-end latency and improved scalability of the core network.
As networks become increasingly flexible and the complexity of network functions grows, the introduction
of intelligent operation capabilities in future networks will be of great importance.
In the scenario where we are monitoring a network for impairment (or potential impairment) for example,
it is common that multiple sensors will be measuring numerous parameters and the key performance
indicator is 'network health'. These sensors tend to measure independently of one another and are not
always working together in a system wide manner. Thus, a comprehensive unified, multi-level, and deeply
 44

correlated analysis of measurements is needed to accurately pinpoint root causes of alarms and instantly
invoke automatic recovery mechanisms

2.4 Spectrum Hyper-Efficiency in Networks

Deploying nano/dense small cell networks overlaying the conventional macro cell networks is widely
regarded as a key step towards network architecture revolution for improved spectrum and energy
efficiency. This includes evolution of transport network to support such dense deployments. Obviously, if
there is dense cellular network with small cells that are sized in the tens of meters range, one needs a
dense optical network for the backhaul aided by ultra-high bitrate wireless links in the mm-wave bands and
beyond (see Section 3.2.1). With such a dense network of small cells, the concept of cell-free
communications between handset and base stations using massive MIMO, with a very large number of
antennas that are not co-located, becomes attractive. Here there is no geographically contiguous cell
served by a single base station. Rather each handset sends to and receives signals from multiple cell sites
based on the channel conditions. Both capacity and coverage can be enhanced greatly using this approach.
Another holy grail in improving spectrum efficiency is full-duplex communication, which has been around
for a long time in wired telephony. It is much harder to implement in wireless systems, but the reward is a
doubling, over and above all other improvements, in spectral efficiency. Steady progress has been made
over the years, and it is expected to become a reality sooner than later.
Despite the advances made in every generation of cellular wireless technology leading to Gigabit-per-sec
speeds in 5G, the cellular system continues to be designed to ensure a minimum acceptable level of service
to the worst-situated user in a cell. All the mandatory requirements to be met by the system are specified
in terms of this worst-case performance, with opportunistic best-effort enhanced performance for the users
who have better links to the cell site. Taking advantage of the vastly improved processing and computing
power at the base station and handset, one can conceive of a “horses for courses” approach in the future,
wherein multiple waveforms and link protocols are made available to users. Each handset will select the
waveform and protocol best suited for its instantaneous channel conditions and user requirement
(reliability/data rate/latency). This concept is being explored by several research groups (see, for example,
6G: The Personal Tactile Internet—And Open Questions for Information Theory in IEEE BITS Sep 2021), as
provisioning in the same system of an optical-fiber-like high data-rate, low-error-rate, low-latency wireless
connection over a relatively benign channel differs considerably from that of a low bit-rate, low-energy-
consuming, robust link over widely-varying channel conditions. This idea can be refined further, and one
can migrate to a completely “user-defined” dynamic radio layer determined by the current radio
environment experienced by the user and the performance attributes sought by the user. This is explored
further in Section 3.7.1.
As optical-fibre-like speeds are being approached in wireless systems, and the semiconductors used to
build the systems perform better and become most cost-effective and reliable at ever increasing
frequencies. there is great interest in moving to higher frequency bands where spectrum is also more easily
available. In 5G, the first foray was made into the mm-wave band and over the next few years we will learn
about the nuances of deploying in this band, outdoors in the rain and fog, as well as indoors, particularly in
factories and stadiums. Similarly, the E-band and V-band at still higher frequencies are attractive,
particularly for integrated optical and wireless networking. These bands are roughly at twice the frequency
of the 5G mm-wave bands, and the learnings from the mm-wave band can be carried over in time to these
bands.
Even as the semiconductor frontiers at very high frequencies are conquered, the challenge of overcoming
the channel conditions at these frequencies remains. Wireless propagation at mm-wave and beyond
suffers from high rain and fog attenuation and is more ray-like and less diffractive than at lower
 45

frequencies. The built environment, therefore, poses a significant challenge to the deployment of wireless
systems in these bands. In an attempt to convert the light-like characteristic of propagation at terahertz
frequencies to an opportunity, Intelligent Reflective Surfaces are being investigated as a way of
“channelling” the signal toward the desired direction. These surfaces are massive reflective arrays placed
on building facades with individual control of the reflective elements. By forming the beam appropriately, it
is proposed to steer the terahertz signal around buildings, for example, and overcome one of the limitations
of mm-wave-and-above propagation.
Many emerging applications (autonomous driving, but more generally situational awareness for any mobile
robot) need radar sensing to comprehend the local physical environment. With spectrum becoming scarce,
and the very high frequencies (>70 GHz) typically used for radar imaging also being explored for
communications, one could conceive of user devices that combine radar sensing and communications
functions using the same spectrum. Just as all smartphones today are location-aware using navigational
aids such as NAVIC and GPS, tomorrow’s devices may become ambient-aware by using its radio for radar
function in addition to communications.

2.5 Tactile Internet Remote Operation

The title of this section is based on the nomenclature introduced in Representative use cases and key
network requirements for Network 2030", a document produced by the ITU Focus Group on Technologies
for Network 2030. It refers to use of the Internet, including mobile Internet, to remotely control a device
based on real-time feedback from the device thus establishing a feedback control loop over great distances
and time-varying communication link characteristics. This is a considerable challenge compared to the
highly reliable, low-latency, wired local feedback loop in most control applications today.
As 5G deployment grows, Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to grow exponentially with billions of devices
connected to the Internet. These will include machines in factories, hand-tools, industrial fixed and mobile
robots, vehicles, drones, fixed and mobile sensors among other things. With the URLLC service in 5G, it is
possible to limit the latency on certain links to less than a millisecond, though this comes at the cost of
bandwidth and energy. In private 5G networks, it may be possible to limit the latency even on eMBB links
to a few milliseconds. Thus, it is possible to conceive of remote control of robots /machines based on
sensory feedback to the operator either from sensors on the robot / machine or around it. While automated
remote-control loops may need sub-millisecond feedback, human-in-the-loop remote control systems may
work quite well with multi-millisecond feedback delay. Low jitter and link reliability are important attributes
that the link must possess for such remote control to work effectively.
The demand for such remote tactile control operations will grow once the techniques become robust and
well publicized, even though the initial breakthroughs will come in the B2B space. Most likely, major
enhancements in the QoS provided by the wireless connectivity will be identified and implemented in the
next-generation wireless network before such remote tactile operations become commonplace and are
used by the wider population. The potential for such technology to impact personal productivity is high, as
well as its ability to make skilled expertise available remotely when it is not available locally. While the
iconic application is remotely assisted surgery, there are many more mundane but economically critical
use cases where the personal skills of an expert can be productively engaged remotely. A straightforward
example is remote operation of rented farm equipment such as tractors and harvesters or of tower cranes
at construction sites. The productivity of the expert also increases manifold as she/he wastes much less
time transporting oneself from one spot to another that needs her/his expertise.
In addition to the tactile human-in-the-loop remote operations, there is an expanding need for remote
control loops in Industrial IOT (IIOT). Industrial networks enabled by the Internet of things (IoT) are
fundamentally different from information technology (IT) networks in terms of performance and reliability
 46

requirements. They go beyond connecting back offices to factory floors, moving towards integration from
device level all the way through to enterprise business systems, resulting in the automatic operation and
control of industrial processes without significant human intervention. These networks therefore need to
deliver superior performance and mandate a real-time, secure, and reliable factory-wide connectivity, as
well as inter-factory connectivity at large scales in the future. Factory automation and machine control
applications typically demand low end-to-end latency ranging (from sub-ms to 10 ms), and small jitter (at
1μs level), to meet the critical closed loop control requirements.
At the same time, as part of the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, operational technologies (OTs)
and IT are converging. Control functions traditionally carried out by customized hardware platforms, such
as programmable logic controllers (PLC), have been slowly virtualized and moved onto the edge or into the
cloud in order to reduce the capital expenditure (CAPEX) and the operational expenditure (OPEX) of the
system, and to provide increased system flexibility and capability to handle and analyse 'big data'. This
industrial cloudification places even higher requirements on underlying networks, as the same latency,
jitter, security, and reliability requirements need to be implemented at larger scales.
It is anticipated that several of these sophisticated remote-control loops will require compute-intensive AI
algorithms. For example, the remote controller may need to get a picture in real-time of the operating
environment of a mobile robot or vehicle based on multiple sensor feeds. Such a picture may be obtained
by data fusion using AI/ML techniques. These algorithms may run at the remote location, but this will
require huge data transfers to the remote controller. A more efficient alternative would be for the remote
controller to offload the AI engine to an Edge-Computing cloud provided by the network nearer the mobile
robot or vehicle. Mobile Edge Computing is supported in 5G itself and will mature in a major way over the
next decade.
In addition to remote control loops, there is another application with similar characteristics involving
predictive analysis followed by evasive actions. A digital twin (DT) is defined as a real-time representation
of a physical entity in the digital world. DTs add value to traditional analytical approaches by improving
situational awareness, and further enable better responses for physical asset optimization and predictive
maintenance. Facilitated by vastly deployed DTs, the digital world and the physical world have the potential
to be fully intertwined, contributing to formulate a new norm of DT-enabled cyber-physical world in the near
future. It is anticipated that the DTs will reside in the edge cloud, with sensor data from the physical world
fed to it in real-time. It is also anticipated that ML algorithms implemented in the edge cloud will play a big
role in predictive analysis at the DT to take anticipatory action in the physical world to avoid undesired
situations (power tripping, traffic snarls, mob formation, are examples) from developing.

2.6 Space-Terrestrial Integrated Network (STIN)

Space-based repeaters have been used for a long time to provide communication links over great
distances. While this technology overcomes the tyranny of distance, it suffers from poor spectrum re-use
as the footprint of the satellite, even with modern beam-formed antennas, is quite large. Geo-synchronous
satellites provide 24x7 service, but the link budget tends to be tight and the latency high. Low-earth orbiting
(LEO) satellites overcome both these limitations to an extent but have to be flown in constellations since
only a subset will be visible over the service area at any given time. With LEO satellites, one can even
conceive of orbiting base stations and not just repeaters. Such base stations are mobile, in contrast to the
fixed ones on terra-firm, and calls have to be handed over even if the user is stationary. Besides, base
stations may have to serve in multiple networks as they orbit the earth to not idle most of the time.
As these technological challenges are overcome and it becomes feasible for mobile handsets to
communicate with space-based base stations, one could leverage inter-connected low earth orbit (LEO)
satellites and other non-terrestrial networking nodes and platforms to build a parallel Internet network that
 47

can peer with its terrestrial counterpart. With such an integrated framework, the envisaged key benefits
include: (i) ubiquitous Internet access at a global scale, including rural areas like oceans, deserts, as well
as moving platforms such as ships and planes; (ii) enriched Internet paths that could lead to better data
delivery performance compared to those over the terrestrial Internet determined by border gateway
protocol (BGP) configurations across domains; (iii) ubiquitous edge caching and computing services
provided by lightweight, on-board computing and storage resources on LEO satellites.
In the Indian context where 900M users live in rural areas, and terrestrial cellular coverage remains patchy
in some parts of the hinterland, a STIN can provide the ubiquitous coverage that has been sought by the
country for more than two decades now. Calls from a mobile can be handed over to the space segment
whenever terrestrial coverage disappears and handed back when it re-appears as one moves. Areas not
served by terrestrial systems can be permanently served by the space-based network.
India has a strong space technology base, and this approach could be pursued vigorously to provide 100%
universal coverage once and for all. India is also one of the few countries developing a High-Altitude
Platform System (HAPS) for various applications. HAPS fly at around 20 km altitude for months together
using only solar energy. They can hover (circle) over a geographical area if desired. Thus, HAPS combines
the high-link-budget and low-latency benefits of LEO satellites (better actually) and the geostationary
benefit of GEO satellites. HAPS platforms could be placed to serve one or more rural districts each across
the country. The platforms are also immune to weather and other terrestrial disturbances and can serve
the dual purpose of providing vital communications during disasters.

2.7 Drone Communications

Piloting of drones is an application in the category of Remote Tactile Operations, though the clear line-of-
sight radio link in this application makes the wireless communication less challenging. While drone
communications in an exclusive frequency band is fairly straightforward, implementing the same using
cellular technology (4G, 5G or next generation) is a challenge. The interference environment above the cell
towers is very severe though the antenna down-tilt does minimize interference among neighboring cells to
an extent. By the same token, the down-tilt also makes communication with high-flying drones difficult. If
the next-generation cellular systems are to be used for drones as well, these issues must be specifically
addressed. Drones cannot be simply treated as one more set of mobile “users” who happen to be flying
above the towers. Being an application requiring specific QoS guarantee on reliability and latency, this
“above the tower skyline” application needs to be catered for with specific supporting features in the next-
generation networks.

2.8 Hyper Personalized Networks

Network designs so far have focused on the Spectral efficiency improvements arising out of better coding,
massive MIMO and others. As we fundamentally hit the Shannon limit (with 5G almost reaching Shannon’s
capacity limit for single-antenna systems) the only way to improve speeds further is to employ more
spectrum, and this is available only at very high frequencies with their associated issues, as discussed
above. The design-for-the-worst-case approach alluded to earlier suffers from the following infirmities:
Static and worst-case provisioning: Networks today are primarily designed for cell edge performance. The
cell boundaries are static in nature since the transmit power of the power amplifiers used is typically fixed
for a given base station. Since 80% of the users are never on the cell edge, the network design is thus
mostly pessimistic and does not consider the average conditions. It is estimated that that there is
approximately a wastage equivalent to 25% of the spectrum on an average.
Limited or no sharing of spectrum: We. We need to leapfrog to unlock a lot of under-utilized “statically”
allocated spectrum. The benefits of dynamic spectrum sharing have not been realized due to poor cognitive
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abilities of the transceivers to ascertain under-utilized spectrum in their respective vicinities. There is also
no real-time intelligence provided to the transceivers from the spectrum licensor to better utilize the
available spectrum. Since most of the communications is happening in an interference-dominated regime,
the overall spectrum utilization continues to be poor. This needs to be addressed with significant changes
in the regulatory and wireless system architectural frameworks.
Limited observability of the network: The common Radio Layer metrics which are observable today are not
sufficient for Network Optimization. If additional metrics such as channel impulse response seen by the
handset and Base Station are made observable, then it opens possibilities to perform new types of Network
Optimization. The availability of such Radio Link metrics, when studied and correlated over large sample
sets, can set in useful ways to exploit Machine Learning at Layer 1 and Layer 2 of the wireless network to
significantly impact performance.
Instead of a fixed protocol and waveform or a limited set of waveforms, as has been the case till now, the
protocol and waveform ought to be based on the specific user’s location and needs, which can vary over
time and space. This will result in a hyper-personalized network that has a virtualized air interface running
on Software-Defined-Radios (SDR). Two possible models are envisioned for virtualization: static OpenGL-
like API (as is done for Graphics), or a Java-like Virtual Machine. The different components of the Air
Interface are abstracted as virtual machines on an SDR, each doing a specific radio implementation task.
The advantage with either of the two approaches is that the APIs or the virtual machines are pretty much
agnostic to the underlying hardware which implements them. One can visualize every waveform defined
so far in 2G/3G/4G/5G as a Virtual Machine which in turn encapsulates all the required virtual machine
calls.
With this approach, the RAN of the future can be enabled by defining the Virtual machine and not the
waveform. Waveform synthesis is left to the Cognitive RAN synthesizer based on the local instantaneous
conditions and requirements. The desired VMs are either invoked from a library or defined on the fly and
uploaded to the peer entity for use to set up the link. This approach enables dynamic and localized network
optimization which a digitized architecture is amenable to, rather than force-fitting on every user a design
dictated by the worst-case. It opens up the doors for implementation of AI/ML algorithms based on a rich
set of observable radio metrics. Some more details of the proposed Cognitive RAN approach are provided
in Annexure 1.

2.9 Holographic-type communications (HTC)

The title of this section is also based on the nomenclature introduced in Representative use cases and key
network requirements for Network 2030" (January 2020) referred to in Section 3.4. It alludes to an
application foreseen when data rates supported by the mobile Internet reach one or two orders of
magnitude higher levels than even in 5G, and when very high frequency (mm-wave and higher) wireless
systems support Gigabit-per-sec links each to multiple devices in a room. While holography is a method for
producing a three-dimensional image of a physical object by capturing (on a plate or film) the pattern of
interference formed by a split laser beam and then illuminating the captured pattern either with a laser or
with ordinary light by diffraction. However, holography technology and ecosystem are presently not mature
enough for mass usage. In the next decade, the motivation of enabling a fully immersive experience will
lead to the adoption of various technologies that produce augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
via head-mounted display (HMD) devices. Holographic type communications (HTC) is expected to digitally
deliver 3D images from one or multiple sources to one or multiple destination nodes in an interactive
manner. The ultimate aim is to produce the next generation of virtual meeting experience. Fully immersive
 49

3D imaging will impose great challenges on future networks in terms of data rates, jitter and latency
requirements.
.

2.10 Annexure 1: Cognitive RAN - Some Details

The Cognitive RAN proposed has 4 phases of functionality comprising of Sensing, Analysis, Reasoning
and Adaptation as shown in the diagram.

• Sensing Phase: In the Sensing phase the radio environment is sensed via wideband
sensing/scanning as well as monitoring. In addition, the previously captured data is also utilized to
find out various aspects of ambient conditions expected in the radio environment at a given time
instant.
• Analysis Phase: The radio environment sensing provides information which goes through the
Analysis phase to characterize and extract information on various aspects like the available radio
frequency bands, licensed or unlicensed, interference power in various frequency bands, adjacent
channel interference, co-channel interference, and far-off channel rejection, impulse noise, Signal to
Noise Ratio, Carrier to Noise Ratio etc. It must be noted that learning algorithms can find significant
use here to make use of previously existing data to infer about the radio environment.
• Reasoning Phase: In this phase the inputs from the Analysis phase are utilized to determine the best
communication scheme and associated parameters required to establish successful radio links. The
radio links are derived based on a chosen cost function. For a given region based on local RF terrain
and geography the operator can choose the cost function of choice. As an example, some of the cost
functions that can be chosen are Spectral Efficiency (Bits/Hz), Latency, reliability/graceful
degradation or data security or in a combination of many different priorities like QoS/service level
agreement requirements, or a certain target Bit/Packet Error rate or even frame error rate allowable
by an application. Some of these cost functions could be dictated by nature of the end application
which could be a voice, video, data, or a combination of those, maximum propagation distance,
terrain conditions, initial hand-shake communication channel, and modulation details. Based on the
chosen cost function, the reasoning phase runs an optimizer that considers the various operational
constraints and then designs a modulation scheme with a desirable frame structure that can satisfy
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the radio link conditions. As an example, one of the operational constraints could be the spectral
mask that needs to be enforced by the wireless regulatory bodies.
• Adaptation Phase: This phase takes care of transitioning the different radios on the Base Station and
User Equipment side to change the existing radio link to that designed by the new radio link design
and modulation scheme as designed by the output of the Reasoning Phase.
This type of RAN ensures optimal radio performance all the time for all users. The modulation and
corresponding demodulation schemes are designed on the fly based on cost functions that capture the
specific user’s needs. In addition, this method leverages Deep Learning methods to determine the optimal
use of resources to realize a waveform at Base Station and handset at a given instant. Overall, this results
in a hyper-personalized network for users, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
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6G Taskforce Report:
Multi-Disciplinary Innovative
Solutions
 52

Executive Summary
6G is expected to push the boundaries of communication technology by ushering in bandwidths of 1Tbps
which will be 100x that of 5G. With latencies of less than a millisecond, it can potentially revolutionise the way
people interact with other humans, machines, and data. In addition, 6G will also incorporate sensing as an
inherent service - which will also have a profound impact on the design and delivery of new technologies and
services in diverse areas.

We will have to evolve a road map to explore various use cases to discover the full potential of 6G as well as
inform the 6G technology and standards development to ensure that they meet the needs of future use cases.
We can broadly classify the use cases for 6G under these four categories, as described by Next G Alliance of
North America:
• Living: Use cases that improve the quality of everyday living, especially in the context of an aging
population, and support them in everyday activities. Geriatric care via telepresence and remote
nursing, assistive and rehabilitation care to patients, etc.
• Experience: Use cases that enhance the quality of experience in areas like entertainment, healthcare,
and education, by utilizing the significant advances in bandwidth and latency and incorporating new
interfaces such as touch. 6G can be expected to change the way stories are told, training delivered,
ailments are diagnostics and health care provided, and more generally, the way experiences are
delivered and shared.
• Critical: Use cases that improve the quality of critical services in sectors like health care,
manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, public safety, disaster response, defence, etc. We expect
humans and robots will work together in many sectors. 6G capabilities of high bandwidth, low
latencies, differentiated service levels, inherent sensing capabilities, and attention to security and
reliability of the communication technologies will become necessary and key features to build very
reliable critical services.
• Societal: Use cases that improve and attain high level societal goals like sustainability and equitable
development. Equitable access to communication, ubiquitous coverage and green technologies will
be key foundational pillars for sustainable and just societal development, without compromising the
environment. In addition, security and privacy will be key pillars to be considered from ground up in
the technology specifications, to ensure trust in the system.

Identification of marquee use cases from various sectors and forming a consortium of partners who can bring
to bear an interdisciplinary approach, will help further our understanding of the needs of 6G as well as guide
its further development in a holistic manner. These use cases can be identified keeping various
considerations in mind and especially evolving from ongoing or planned work for 5G,

We recommend setting up of a 9-year national mission for 6G, with a clear goal of creating some minimum
indigenous IP which becomes part of the 6G standards and leads to creation of commercial products made
in India by 2030. It should have reasonable funding allocation with freedom to foster public-private
collaboration partnership, with funds disbursement and mission objectives accomplished over three phases:
Phase I (Years 1-4): Setup horizontal centres of excellence focusing on new breakthrough technologies, that
can lead to creation of new IPs, with a view to make them a basis for standardization and eventual
commercialization. Simultaneously, vertical centres of excellence (or field labs) should be setup to focus on
implementing use cases at a reasonable scale, beyond that of a pure research laboratory. These can start
with using 5G technologies and should focus on identifying and measuring KPIs for each use case. We
recommend the government to largely fund this phase (through the mission), with amounts in the range of
8k-16k Crores (USD 1-2Billion).
Phase II (Years 4-6):, The horizontal centres should focus on translation of lab scale technologies to pilot
scale validation and field trials in the various vertical use case Labs. This will also lead to participation and
 53

contribution to international and national standards. The vertical centres (use case labs) should keep
upgrading their installations to keep pace with advances in 5G and eventually transition to testing early
versions of 6G being developed in horizontal centres. This will enable a solid validation of 6G technologies
which can then form a good foundation for proposals for standardization and eventual commercialization.
We expect a significant contribution from industry to fund this phase of the activity. The government can
provide partial funding in the range of 8k-16k Crores, with the industry putting in the rest.
Phase III (Years 7-9): The centres (especially the horizontal ones) could transition into skilling as well as
incubation activities. We expect most of the funding to come from industry and venture communities in this
phase. The goal will be for the start-ups and other industries to transition to full 6G based commercialization
along with the expansion of the ecosystem to support manufacturing and supply chains. The government
may provide seed funding for venture funds to catalyse co-investments in start-ups.
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1. Introduction
The current internet penetration in India is largely through smart phones with about 45% of the population
having internet access with about 13GB monthly data consumption per user. Most of the current usage is for
online video and hence is dominated by download speeds. The expectation with 5G and eventually 6G is that
upload bandwidth will also increase as there will be many use cases involving tele-interactions where high
bandwidth will be required for both directions.

Though 5G roll out is imminent, it will only provide about 10Gbps bandwidth with 1mS latency. However, many
applications that involve immersive presence or haptics interaction like tele-surgery, will require bandwidths
of 10Gbps/user 1 or sub-millisecond latency 2. To address these applications, the targeted capability for 6G is
1Tbps with sub-1 ms latency, with almost ubiquitous coverage across the entire planet. To achieve these high
bandwidths, the carrier frequency will move to 0.1-1THz with bandwidths of 7-35GHz. Such high frequencies
will also enable the capability for sensing hence 6G is also expected to converge communications with some
sensing capability 3.

While researchers and technologists will work towards realising these capabilities, it is paramount that we
also start exploring use cases in parallel, especially those that get enabled via innovative applications of these
6G capabilities. This will lead to a collaborative innovation process - where the use cases and capabilities can
iteratively push each other, thus leading to practical and useful technologies with readymade applications.

With this broad context, we will next describe the key aspects of this report.

1.1. Terms of Reference

This report covers the following aspects, which form the terms of reference for this task force:
• Use-case definition
• Developing indigenous globally competitive `ahead of state-of-art` solutions and piloting them in real
field environment
• Creating inputs for advanced research by practically establishing the limitation of available
technology
• Providing substantial implementation inputs for global standardisation
• Pilot-Trials
• Other items in the scope of 6G activities and overall deliverables.

2. Use-case definition: approach, identification, definition.

While we still don't have 5G deployed, it requires quite a leap of imagination and further exploration and
understanding to describe use cases for 6G

2.1. Global Actions on probable 6G Use cases

2.1.1. European Union

Hexa-X 4 is EU’s flagship 6G consortium created with a selective and well-composed choice of participants
to lay the foundations for 6G systems and with the goal to enable EU leadership in B5G/6G research and
development. Hexa-X has published a number of documents sharing the outcomes of deliberations in its
different working groups and the deliverable D1.2 captures the 6G vision, use cases and societal values –
including aspects of sustainability, security and spectrum.

1 E Bastug, et. al., “Towards interconnected Virtual Reality”, IEEE Communications Magazine 2016
2 Qi Zhang et. al., “Towards 5G enabled Tactile robotic telesurgery”, CoCoNet 2019
3
Carlos Lima et al., “Converged Communications, Localization & Sensing for 6G”, IEEE Access 2021
4 Hexa-X D1.2: Expanded 6G vision, use cases and societal values, https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hexa-x.eu/wp-

content/uploads/2021/05/Hexa-X_D1.2.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1649135784835864&usg=AOvVaw1OuR_5X886It3aOguwGrPa
 55

The use cases for the 6G era defined by Hexa-X have been identified combining two approaches. Firstly,
driven by the Hexa-X vision of combining the Digital, Physical and Human worlds while keeping
Sustainability, Inclusion and Trustworthiness as the key values driving the future society. Secondly,
collecting views from the partners and the ecosystem.23 use cases have been identified and broadly
classified into 5 categories.
• Sustainable development
o E-health for all
o Institutional coverage
o Earth monitor
o Autonomous supply chains
• Massive twinning
o Digital Twins for manufacturing
o Immersive smart city
o Digital Twins for sustainable food production
• Immersive telepresence for enhanced interactions
o Fully merged cyber-physical worlds
o Mixed reality co-design
o Immersive sport event
o Merged reality game/work
• From robots to cobots
o Consumer robots
o AI partners
o Interacting and cooperative mobile robots
o Flexible manufacturing
• Local trust zones for human & machine
o Precision healthcare
o Sensor infrastructure web
o 6G IoT micro-networks for smart cities
o Infrastructure-less network extensions and embedded networks
o Local coverage for temporary usage
o Small coverage, low power micro-network in networks for production & manufacturing
o Automatic public security

In addition to the Use cases, enabling services harnessing new capabilities have been identified
• Compute-as-a-Service (CaaS)
• AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS)
• AI-assisted Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)
• Flexible device type change service
• Energy-optimised services
• Internet-of-Tags
• Security as a service for other networks

The following research challenges were identified

• Connecting intelligence
• Network of networks (e.g., millions of (specialised) subnetworks)
• Sustainability
• Global service coverage
• Extreme experience
• Trustworthiness.
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Each use case family addresses multiple of these research domains and is analysed for the different Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs), and a set of Key Value Indicators (KVIs) featuring the trustworthiness,
inclusiveness, and sustainability abilities. Please refer to D1.2 for details

2.1.2. North America

The US SDO ATIS launched the Next G Alliance 5 as a consortium of stakeholders from Industry -
Academia - Government to North American technology leadership in the 6G era with a strong emphasis on
technology commercialization including full lifecycle of research and development, manufacturing,
standardisation, and market readiness. One of the key stated goals is to leverage the deliverables to
“influence U.S. government funding priorities and actions that will incentivize the technology industry, laying
the foundation for a vibrant marketplace for North American products and services globally.”

The Next G alliance is organised into 6 working groups, namely - Roadmap, Technology, Green, Societal
Needs and Economic Drivers, Spectrum, Applications.

In terms of the broad technology roadmap for 6G, the forum has published the roadmap whitepaper, which
indicates the following areas as top priorities for technical leadership and contributions.
• Trust, Security and Resilience
• Sustainability
• AI Native Wireless Networks
• Distributed Cloud and Communications systems
• Digital World Experiences
• Cost Efficient Systems

The alliance has identified four key foundational areas under which they have studied various use cases.
These are:
• Living: how to improve quality of everyday living?
• Here they are particularly concerned about the ageing population and envision how robotics
technologies can benefit from 6G capabilities to allow better support in everyday activities.
• Experience: how to enhance quality of experience in areas like entertainment, healthcare, and
education?
• Here, novel, bandwidth hungry user interfaces like 16k and even 32k displays along with haptics
technologies - which will be very latency sensitive, will enable creation of new mixed reality content
to be delivered. These are expected to change the way stories are told, training delivered, health
diagnostics and care provided and in general way experience is delivered and shared.
• Critical: How to improve quality of critical roles in sectors like health care, manufacturing,
agriculture, transportation, public safety etc.?
• A key observation they make is that the humans and robots will work together in each of these use
cases, where robots will serve to augment/complement the humans. Hence human robot interfaces
and interactions will be critical and 6G capabilities of high bandwidth, low latencies, differentiated
service levels, inherent sensing capabilities, and attention to security and reliability of the
communication technologies will become necessary features to build upon in these use cases.
• Societal: how to improve and attain high level societal goals?
• Equitable access to communication, ubiquitous coverage and green technologies will be key
foundational pillars for sustainable and just societal development, without compromising the
environment. In addition, security and privacy will be key pillars to be considered from ground up in
the technology specifications, to ensure trust in the system.

5Road map to 6G: Building the foundation for North American Leadership in 6G and beyond.
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nextgalliance.org/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1649135784837377&usg=AOvVaw2N3T1WCKScdDaVxLKAcqZ
N
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Finally, the alliance recommends that inter-disciplinary approaches to the use case studies will extract
functional, performance and value requirements that will in turn help inform technologists as they proceed
with 6G development.

2.1.3. Japan
The Japan Beyond 5G (B5G) consortium was established in December 2020 to achieve early and smooth
introduction of communication networks evolving Beyond 5G and to strengthen the international
competitiveness of Japan in “Beyond 5G” domain to realise the strong and vibrant society expected in the
2030s.The consortium consisting of all stakeholders of the Japanese ecosystem - Govt., Industry (both
telecom and other verticals) and Academia has been organised into 2 committees.
• Committee for Planning and Strategy
o Study comprehensive strategies to promote B5G and prepare B5G whitepaper
• International Committee
o To identify international trends for promoting B5G and international dissemination

The first version of the B5G whitepaper was released in March 2022 and summarises needs from different
industry verticals that are consumers of B5G, capabilities required, and technological trends.
For each of the industry verticals, the report captures the current challenges, future vision. To realize that
future vision, the use cases that are achievable with B5G technology are identified. With this perspective in
mind, the following industries are surveyed leading to many use cases and their specific requirements on
B5G:
• Finance
• Construction and Real Estate
• Logistics and Transportation
• Telecommunications and IT
• Media Industry
• Energy resources and Materials
• Automotive Industry
• Machinery industry
• Electronics and Precision electronics industry
• Living, Food and Agriculture Industry
• Retail, Wholesale and Distribution sectors
• Services, Public services, and Corporate Services
• Restaurant Industry
• Entertainment and Leisure
• Academic and others

From the gaps and KPI study the following B5G technology trends are arrived at
• System platforms and applications for X-As a Service, where X = [R] Robots, [M] Mobility, [XR]
extended Reality
• Trustworthiness - Security, Privacy and Resilience with DLT, Confidential Compute systems, AI
based security, etc.
• Network Energy Efficiency Enhancement including network energy savings, use of renewable energy
and architectural framework to solve AI power consumption issues
• Network coverage extension including Non-Terrestrial Networks and High-Altitude Platform Stations
• Architectural enhancements to improve overall user experience, and performance of ubiquitous
sensors and AI systems
• Future Wireless and Optical Network technologies like Reflective Intelligent Surfaces, Large Scale
MIMO, Evolved Air Interface for new bands and improved energy efficiency, Integrated Sensing and
Communication, and Optical Wireless and Acoustic communications
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2.2. Strategy for the development of Indian specific scenarios and setting up of CoEs
The main purpose of identifying potential use cases at this early juncture in 6G development is to help push
and refine the technical capabilities for 6G which will eventually lead to practical solutions, and
simultaneously result in valuable IP creation as well as a better chance for getting accepted in international
standards. Hence the use cases should be demanding of the communication technologies and should be
asking for capabilities beyond 5G.

The process to select the Use Cases can consider the following questions to test their suitability for
adoption as part of 6G R&D
• Is the use case supported by any planned 5G Application layer standards?
The final revision of the 5G Application Layer Standards (ALS) Report has been submitted to the DOT
last year. In it, two verticals were accorded priority over all others. These were Smart City & Banking
Financial Services. Agriculture & Healthcare were close but lower in the priority order.

• Is there an availability of Nationally published reports for KPI metrics data?

Availability of any ground level KPI data for the Use case from Nationally published reports will help
create benchmarks for quantifying the efficacy of achieving the use cases and the impact of
communication technologies. This data can be baselined over which improvement can be targeted
by 6G capabilities like “Sensing” of both active and passive vulnerable road users for collision
avoidance. e.g.: for Intelligent Transport Systems: Yearly Road Safety Reports show India in the
lowest bracket of Road safety globally. [Refer [8] in Appendix for Report]
The purpose will be to serve as the baseline against which the Govt can set targets for the
technology to prove itself.

Other reports can point to Net Energy consumption by current 4G/LTE systems in India. This should
also include the device ecosystem plus Data Centres. As per Mckinsey report on Green Telecom,
currently, each 5G site requires two to three times more energy than an equivalent 4G site. Further,
with more services at the edge the number of Data Centres will increase. With the advent of 6G the
Energy requirement will be astronomical. Therefore, Green Energy, net energy reduction will be of
paramount importance [see reference 26 for more details].

• Is there an Assessment of the 5G use cases experimented in 5G Innovation Hubs, specifically the
horizon 2 and 3 use cases?
Availability of performance test results of varied 5G use cases, specifically horizon 2, 3 use cases
helps to map and explore further with 6G. The existing 5G Innovation Hubs can be extended for 6G
research.

• Is there a report available on the 5G use cases planned, experimented in the STPI COEs, Centre of
Entrepreneurship (https://stpi.in/index.php/stpi-coe) established at National level on varied
technologies?
Out of 25 COEs planned (e.g., Quantum, Image, IOT), 20 are established at the national level for varied
technology areas. These COEs are aligned with vertical industries, for e.g.,
o IOT Open Lab at Bengaluru for multiple industries (Industrial IoT, Automotive, Wearables,
EduTech, AgriTech, NanoTech, Mobility & Home Automation, and Smart City)
o Motion (Autonomous Connected Electric Shared (ACES) Mobility) at Pune for Auto Industry
o Establish new COEs that are needed for 6G to explore new use cases.

The purpose will be to serve as the baseline against which the Govt can set targets for the technology to
prove itself.
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2.3. Sectoral Engagement Strategy

[Each sector like Agriculture, Manufacturing, Disaster Response, Finance, Education, Logistics, Mobility,
Entertainment etc could potentially contribute to 6G use cases. We would need to have a champion for each
sector - could be a line ministry or a reputed organisation, which drives the articulation of the use case looking
10-15 years into the future, via consultation with appropriate stakeholders. These could then form the basis
of setting up centres of excellence (COE) for the said use cases for each sector, with appropriate allocation
of funding. The use case (or “Vertical”) COEs can first identify and realise their solutions via existing 4G and
upcoming 5G technologies. As 5G technologies are expected to bring digital change to a variety of other
sectors]. To promote and smooth adoption of 5G potential use cases, the Department of Telecommunication
has constituted an inter - ministerial committee with representatives from 17 ministries. The existing 5G use
case engagement experience will be extended on to the 6G engagement. The KPIs and benchmarking will
serve as a starting point for future enhancements to the use cases, some of which may require 6G.

2.4. Indigenous IP Creation Strategy

We should also create “horizontal” COEs which focus on foundational technology creation to enable 6G
capabilities. This will lead to creation of fundamental IPs and contributions to international standards, as
well as support for indigenous manufacturing. However, the funding requirements will be substantial and
hence a strategic approach will be required to achieve these aspirations. Some of the key points for this will
be:
• Generating IPs to the extent maximum in next 3-4 years
• Focus on strengths due to limitations in budget
• Form Consortiums of entities (Academia & industry) and include strategic international partners
• In the initial research phase, provide funding support to the private sector (including large and
SMEs).
• Incentivization contribution of R&D funding from the private sector through tax breaks etc. especially
for the productization and standardisation phase.

3. Potential 6G Use cases of relevance to India

3.1. Healthcare
Ambulance services will get augmented to provide continuous high-quality care from home-to-hospital to
enable Hospital-to-Home (H2H) services. 6G will enable hospitals to reach home on demand and in an
emergency. The future ambulance vehicles will be fully AI enabled and connected with the infrastructure.
Therefore, H2H will be realised as a mobile hospital on an intelligent vehicle platform that will have a minimum
dependence on hospitals including doctors and nurses. This mobile hospital will replace ambulance services.

Intelligent Wearable Devices (IWD) that are connected to the Internet will transmit psychological and
physiological data to test and monitoring centres. These devices will monitor all vitals like, heartbeat, blood
pressure, blood tests, health conditions, body weight and nutrition. This data will be available in real-time at
the diagnostic centres. IWD data will enable personalised treatment and care plan and advise the person for
the next action, for instance, advising for walk or running. IWD will allow maintaining a digital twin of the
individual for health, nutrition, and habits.

Tele-diagnosis, remote surgery and telerehabilitation are just some of the many potential applications in
healthcare. We have already witnessed an early form of this during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, whereby
a huge number of medical consultations are via video links. However, with the aid of advanced tele diagnostic
tools, medical expertise/consultation could be available anywhere and anytime regardless of the location of
the patient and the medical practitioner. Remote and robotic surgery is an application where a surgeon gets
real-time audio-visual feeds of the patient that is being operated upon in a remote location. The surgeon
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operates then using real-time visual feeds and haptic information transmitted to/from the robot. This will
definitely create a significant impact on Rural medical arrangement and overall cost of treatment will be
drastically reduced.

A smart pharmacy box (cabin) installed in rural areas where patients can enter and describe the symptoms
to an interface (virtual), accordingly the pertinent doctor (virtual doctor or holograph) can prescribe the
medication and the medicines are dispatched by the box thus realising an ATM using a health card.
Connectivity provided by 6G will make the box portable.

3.2. Agriculture
Agriculture use cases can consider smart and precision agriculture with connectivity to every square metre
in the country. 100 Kisan Vigyan Kendra’s run by ICAR can provide the testbed or living labs to experiment
with communication technology evolutions for agriculture over this coming decade.

For vertical farming and green houses, highly dense and large-scale sensor network can be deployed where
connectivity is provided using a set of 6G micro base stations, including drones working as wireless access
points.

3.2.1. Smart Agriculture using 6G-IoT and AI

Objective is to develop an intelligent predictive system fusing IoT and AI/ML techniques to forecast yield,
irrigation schedule, pesticide schedule and crop health information with specific goals as listed below:
• Development of a sensor network to collect location specific soil, weather, and plant health data for
the purpose of precise management of soil and crop.
• Design of communication framework and Protocols.
• Building of Rice specific analytics model and development of PC / mobile based application
software
• Pilot implementation.

It is required to develop Message Exchange Middleware (MEM) for exchange of data between the devices
which is fast and reliable after finalisation and deployment of the selected IOT devices and finalisation of
protocol. Two standard and frequently used protocols, namely, MQTT and CoAP are being proposed; any
one of them can be selected based on mutual acceptability.

MQTT is preferred over CoAP for mission-critical communications because it can enforce quality of service
and ensure message delivery. CoAP, for its part, is preferred for gathering telemetry data transmitted from
transient, low-power nodes like tiny field sensors. Despite fulfilling different needs, both protocols are
fundamental in IoT and IIoT deployments, where fast and flexible data exchange is a basic operational
requirement. After evaluation of the field situation, the most appropriate protocol out of the two will be
selected and implemented.

3.3. Defence & Internal Security

The following use case scenarios are recommended
(i) Battlefield Surveillance
With integration of sensors, drones and Satellites, an unmanned surveillance grid mapping every
inch of border (high accuracy localization) will enhance the operational efficiency by providing real
time inputs to the commanders in the field formations.

(ii) Security protocol

A Novel protocol exclusively for defence may be developed in conjunction with academia and industry
for authentication and key management in 6G. This can be leveraged to exploit the same network
infrastructure for providing communication to local population and armed forces in the given area.
The concept can be akin to a Military grade network slice.
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(iii) Dynamic Radio Illumination of Battlefield

With advanced beamforming techniques already available in 5G, the 6G should look at dynamic radio
coverage in the heterogeneous environment based on the progress of operations.

(iv) Digital Twin of Battlefield

The real-time dynamic interaction between the virtual and the real battlefield can be simulated using
the digital twin to provide automated flow of info in ops. This will enable commanders to take timely
decisions and shape the response in battle.

3.4. Disaster Response

Wildfires are associated with human evolution and almost all forests across the world have faced incidents
of wildfires, however, when these fires become uncontrollable, they often turn into disasters. Raging
wildfires results in loss of natural resources, biodiversity, property, and often human lives.

In Indian context significant wildfires have been reported in some of the states like Uttarakhand, Nagaland,
Odisha, Tamil Nadu and in the other states in the last couple of years. Many extreme climate events have
occurred in India in the last decade which have resulted in occurrence of significant wildfires. The higher
number of wildfires in the year 2009 and 2012 have resulted due to the effect of El-Nino which brought in
significant dryness.

Key Challenges: Fire can be detected through satellites, ground sensors, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and
physical observation by public and forest officials. However still there are gaps in accurate and timely
reporting of wildfire.

• One of the major challenges in managing the wildfires is early detection of the same. Early detection
of wildfires is important for timely deployment of resources towards control the spread and to take
mitigation steps.
• MODIS and VIIRS sensors can report the wildfire at 1km and 375m spatial resolutions respectively
six times a day, however, small wildfires (which may turn into large fires) remain undetected.
• Depending on the satellite pass, fire alert data can be obtained for a limited duration. Also there
exists latency to the tune of one to one and half hours before data reaches the end user.

It is therefore important to deploy sensor networks at strategic locations so as to have continuous data
collection on the remote server. Whenever some sensor records value more than a specified threshold it may
enable early detection of wildfire. Also, it may be required to deploy the UAVs in sync with satellite and ground
sensor networks to monitor the occurrence of wildfire. In addition, crowd-based systems are also required to
collect instant geotagged locations of wildfire along with text, audio, image, and video data of that location.

Multi-source Data Analysis & Visualization: Wildfire management required real-time response to dynamically
evolving situations, spread over many hectares. Use real-time data feeds from multiple sources: satellite, on-
ground sensors, drones, meteorological services etc., and combine these with other contextual data (terrain
maps, vegetation type and cover etc) to analyse with high fidelity scientific models on HPC systems to predict
spread of fire and allow visualisation. This visualisation can be communicated in real-time to on-field
personnel to enable them to make more effective decisions. The resulting latency and data bandwidth
requirements is potentially a good use case for 6G (along with its inherent sensing capability). CDAC (HPC
Capability) and IITKGP (Fire Dynamic Scientific Model and Simulations) are working together for this use
case. Test site can be in Sikkim.

The low latency 6G technology will enable development of advanced real time fire danger rating systems,
which will be based on data streaming not only from ground sensors but also from satellites, UAVs, IoT
network, crowd, and climate models. Therefore, considering the future challenges it is inevitable to carry out
targeted research now to define the strategies for handling the big data towards very optimum handling of
the fire disaster.
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Other similar use cases in Civilian (disaster management for flooding, landslides, etc.) and Defence for
communicating and rendering in real-time, situational awareness and what-if predictions.

3.4.1. 6G Offerings specific to Disaster Management

• Very Large Volume & Tiny Instant Communications
• Beyond best effort and High-Precision Communications and lossless networking and latency
guarantee
• Many Nets (Satellite, MEC, Dense network)
• Intelligent Connected Management and Control functions, Programmability and Integrated sensing
and communication

3.4.2. Other Disaster Management Use cases

Almost all large spatial scale disasters such as flood, air pollution, GLOF require significant data processing
power and dissemination protocols so as to enable governments to take mitigative measures in good time.
The development of grid consortium for very high-speed collaborative computing, data transfer will be
required in future for effective decision making considering the deluge of data from different sources. In India
many times potential cyclone related disasters have been averted by collaborative coordination among
different stakeholders. Such type of collaborative, spontaneous, real time disaster control measures also
need to be taken for forest fires. 6G technology has the potential to bring revolution in disaster alert,
processing and information dissemination activities, thus strong research needs to be carried out for future
disaster management activities.

There are also potential applications in other environmental use cases - rope in Ministry of Environment to
explore applications for reducing carbon footprint and meet India’s commitment

The mining sector needs smart technology for real-time monitoring for worker’s safety as well as allow
remote-tele operation of mining equipment. Difficult wireless propagation medium, including need for ad-hoc
network setup, good localization capabilities, sensing capabilities etc.

There are also potential applications in other environmental use cases - rope in Ministry of Environment to
explore applications for reducing carbon footprint and meet India’s commitment
The mining sector needs smart technology for real-time monitoring for worker’s safety as well as allow
remote-tele operation of mining equipment. Difficult wireless propagation medium, including need for ad-
hoc network setup, good localization capabilities, sensing capabilities etc.

3.5. Transportation/Air mobility

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is one of the prominent use cases for 5G which has exponential growth of
the market owing to numerous applications that have been facilitated by advances in battery technology and
wireless communications. Given the successes of UAVs thus far, researchers are already gearing towards
aerial transport systems that consist of dense deployment of both UAVs and Personal Aerial Vehicles (PAVs)
with human passengers. However, future aerial transport systems will require stricter network key
performance indicators to support the expected massive deployment of aerial vehicles considering network
capacity and distance between the base station and the aerial vehicles, among others. Hence 6G will be
required for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). These electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for
passengers will be very much applicable for cities like Mumbai and Bangalore where peak hour traffic is one
of the biggest challenges. It is expected that the market for eVTOL Air Taxis to Grow to $14.7 Billion by 2041.

Safe ITS
“Safe” Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) that protect the Vulnerable Road Users. Innovations in
Location/Speed Sensing will be required for improving Safety metrics.
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The technology can be applied to all transport modes including Robots.

3.6. QKD and integration with 6G

Quantum technology (QT) is envisioned to play a critical role in the 6G framework [9 - 12]. Considering the
spectra of utilities and applications that is brought forth by 6G technologies, security will be one of the
greatest challenges. This can be primarily addressed by secure quantum communication. The technology has
been demonstrated globally and has many commercial players as well. However, another important aspect
is Quantum computing which can contribute to solving computationally difficult optimization problems in 6G,
the problems that are computation-intensive can be expedited and several protocols are explored which can
contribute to privacy-preserving applications.

In quantum communication we use the quantum property of light to communicate between remote parties.
We generate spontaneous secure symmetric encryption keys through a quantum process and the quality of
the keys are high in entropy and generated via true random process. This methodology has elevated the nature
of security from computational security in modern cryptography to information theoretic security in the
Quantum era. As a matter of fact, the resources of QT like superposition, coherence and entanglement serves
dual purpose. On one hand it strengthens the cryptography and on the other hand it provides unprecedented
computational power. The laws of quantum mechanics like no cloning theorem, Heisenberg uncertainty
principle and non-locality principles forms the basis of provable security of Quantum Key distribution (QKD).

Quantum Key distribution: In Quantum Key distribution [14], we begin by selecting a protocol which has a
proven information theoretic security guaranteed by the laws of quantum physics. The BB84 with single
photons is the most secure QKD protocol having security proven for most general eavesdropping attacks on
the quantum channel. We can categorise the QKD protocols into discrete variables DV-QKD and continuous
variable CV-QKD based on the nature of detection. We have a quantum transmitter and receiver connected
with quantum and classical channels. Once we identify the QKD protocol, the QKD transmitter will generate
quantum states, encode the quantum states, and transmit it either by free space or by fibre-based channel.
The QKD receiver will receive the states and proceed to sifting and post processing the detected states
according to the protocol. The quantum states being fragile will suffer from vulnerabilities in implementation,
transmission, reception, and environmental factors giving rise to errors. If the error rate of the system exceeds
the threshold, then we drop the generated encryption keys, otherwise we accept the keys as tamper free and
proceed with generating symmetric keys on either end. The future quantum secure network and a quantum
network will require QKD nodes easily provided by free space and fibre-based quantum communication (QC).
This can be achieved using three approaches (1) direct ground-to-ground free space/fibre-based QC, (2)
satellite QC and (3) Drone based QC. An integrated model would combine the satellite communication
networks, aerial networks, terrestrial networks, and marine communication networks

Space-air-ground-sea integrated network (SAGSIN), which provides a promising network architecture for 6G
[11]. In Figure 2, we have presented different components of quantum communication which will play a critical
role in boosting the security of 6G. This includes a hybrid communication system which will encompass PQC,
QRNG and different forms of quantum communication i.e., QKD and QSDC as presented in the figure. This
will further lead to establishing a quantum internet across PAN country quantum network supporting several
applications using entangled photons as a resource.

In QKD, the adversarial model encompasses the present and future attacks by quantum adversaries (with
quantum computer and quantum memory) and classical attacks with present state of art technologies
obeying the laws of quantum physics. The keys are obtained from a composable security framework ensuring
further usage of keys for cryptographic purposes. Another important application of QT is the quantum random
number generator (QRNG). These RNG are quantum based TRNG providing high entropy and Information
theoretic quantum certified random numbers for conventional cryptography. Post quantum cryptography
(PQC) is another aspect of quantum safe cryptography where the mathematical problems used in
cryptography are believed to be quantum safe. Recently, NIST [13] has shortlisted in round 3 (2020) the
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finalists of the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardisation Process, three PQ algorithms for use in
digital signatures and four PQ algorithms in Key encapsulation mechanism (KEM) along with alternate
candidates for each.

Recent achievements

QKD Network
• The Cambridge Quantum Network [15] is another such example, this network has been operating for
several years with secure key rates of about 1 Mb/s and interestingly the network operates in the
presence of 100Gb/s classical traffic.
• Toshiba [16] breaks quantum communication record with 600 km of optical fibres.
• An integrated space-to-ground quantum communication network [17] over 4,600 kilometres
consisting of (1) fibre network of more than 700 fibre QKD links and (2) two satellite-to-ground free-
space QKD links.

QKD in 5G:
• SK Telecom has deployed a form of QKD in its 5G mobile networks to provide increased security in
its 5G network [18].
• In 2020, Verizon tested QKD over fiber optic links in its network, encrypt live video streams over a
fiber network between three locations, which are the Washington D.C. Executive Briefing Centre, the
5G Lab in D.C., and Verizon’s Ashburn [19].
• It is reported that the first demonstration of quantum-secured, inter-domain 5G service orchestration
and on-demand NFV chaining over flexi-WDM optical networks was performed by the University of
Bristol [20]. software-defined
• A software defined QKD network (SDQKDN) was demonstrated using (1) CV QKD by Huawei
Technologies Duesseldorf GmbH (HWDU), Munich Research Centre, and (2) SDN by UPM and
Telefonica on a production-level optical fiber infrastructure of Telefonica to demonstrate [21].

Global initiatives:
• In the US, The National Quantum Initiative Act was signed into law in 2018.
• The EU also launched its Quantum Technologies Flagship in 2018.
• India has announced a National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA) in
2020.
• The Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) [22] is preparing for a pan-European Quantum Internet towards
implementing a fully integrated network stack running on a multi-node quantum network.

Standardisation and certification

At present there is a parallel global effort on standardisation and certification. In this direction ITMO
University and Kazan Quantum Centre launched Russia’s first multi-hub quantum network which will form
the basis for development of quantum communication in Russia. China Communications Standards
Association CCSA-ST7, and it has several related contributions to international SDOs including ITU and
ISO/IEC. The ETSI-QKD/ISG [23] has developed testing and evaluation methods and methodologies, system
test, interfaces, component specifications which have been released for commercial quantum
communication. The ISO group [24] developing two standards: "ISO/IEC 23837-1 Information security—
Security requirements, test, and evaluation methods for quantum key distribution—Part 1: Requirements
(containing predefined security functional requirements for use in QKD PPs) and ISO/IEC 23837-2 Part 2:
Test and evaluation methods. Both are currently in advanced committee draft (CD) stage and publication is
planned for spring 2022.

Advantages of QKD in 6G: Hardening of the 6G security

• QKD may be deployed over the backhaul connecting radio access networks and the core network.
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• Quantum communications can also be leveraged for securing communications between an SDN
controller and SDN enabled devices as successfully demonstrated by Telefonica and its partners in
2020.
• In future, we can expect mesh-like Space Information Networks (SIN) under 6G. In this regard
Quantum Space Information Network (qSIN) is a reality today and several demonstrations and this
will offer novel methods of key relay which will have its own advantages. For example, Huang et al.
[25] demonstrated a double-layer quantum satellite network architecture based on a trusted repeater
and implemented a quantum key pool (QKP) showing an improvement of the success probability of
key relay services.
• The security can be approached in a hybrid manner leveraging QNRG, QKD, PQC and state of art
communication techniques.
• Quantum-Assisted Blockchain (qChain) can use quantum communications to address the security in
blockchain nodes. There is a good opportunity to evolve new protocols based on quantum
entanglement to assist the technology.
• The 6G system will involve application of AI algorithms such as deep learning, deep reinforcement
learning, etc and the communications among participants can be secured using quantum secure
communication.

3.7. Education
There are so many opportunities in the Education sector like Remote learning. However, another prominent
area is robust infrastructure for exam conduction. Total 1,26,30,885 applications were received for the RRB
CEN NTPC 2021 exam. Online examinations have always a potential to save cost in exponential factor,
however that requires robust infrastructure. If Person needs to appear from home or remote centre, then 6G
will play a significant role.6G will allow the video to transmit at such a high speed and nearby edge processing
will help in managing the compliance. All major examinations like JEE, NEET, State Government, Banking,
Defence, and other related sectors can leverage 6G in exam conduction.

3.8. Metaverse
Metaverse bridges the physical world and the avatars in the virtual world built by human imagination,
leveraging Extended Reality, AI, Spatial Computing, IoT, Wearable Technologies, Decentralized, Crypto
Currencies and 5G / 6G and brings in next generation User Experience.

The Metaverse requires real time experience between what a person does and what their avatar does
without lag, hence very low latency. This requires, the network connections to be super-fast, super-reliable
and available everywhere. Also support the processing power leap as there is a move from 2D to 3D,
holographic displays.

Holographic displays used for real-time multi-dimensional interaction, requires a very high throughput. This
increases further with concurrent data streams, hence requires Tbps, and latency to be less than 1ms.

Use Cases extends from

• Digital Twin, with physical and digital world interactions across industry sectors
• Immersive product design, reviews with 3D models, VR in manufacturing with distributed teams
• Media, Entertainment & Sports for interactive immersive experiences
• Collaborative Learning and remote working through’ Virtual Spaces
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4. Roadmap for Infrastructure/funding Support

• GoI will need to allocate good funding for basic and applied research for the next three to four years
(Y1-4) - with the setting up of “Horizontal” Centres of Excellence across the country. (~USD 1-2B)6.
These could be anchored in academia - but have industry partners. We can choose to focus on a few
key foundational areas, where we might have inherent strengths and capabilities
• GoI can set up “Vertical” use case field labs across the country for various verticals (Agri, Industrial
Automation, Logistics (transportation), Health, Security, Education) (~USD 1-2B). These could be
anchored in industry/other domain specific institutions - but have academic and international
partners . The R&D money should allow co-innovation from academia/industry consortiums (which
means industry should also be eligible for a slice of the R&D grants - in the first phase).
• GoI can also create a venture fund of funds to co-invest in translation and start-up creation (Y7-9)
(USD 1-2B) through accelerators in academic and other institutions.

5. Key Recommendations
• Create a National Mission for 6G which has a 9-year tenure (2022-2031), with funding allocation in
three tranches - phase 1 for Years 1-4 and Phase 2 for Years 4-7 and Phase 3 for years 7-9. The
mission’s purpose will be to catalyse
o Coordination and interactions between various stakeholders in Central and State governments
and their respective line ministries as well as with industry and academia.
o Fundamental and applied research for 6G technologies, leading to creation of new IP,
knowledge, and skilling.
o Pilot scale demonstration and validation of these technologies in field trials for various use
cases.
o Participation and contribution to national and international standards. This is expected to start
from 2025 onwards.
o Creation of start-ups and other translation mechanisms to convert these technologies to
products designed and manufactured in the country for the global market.
o Formation of consortia between academia, industry, and government agencies nationally and
internationally for various activities in each of the phases.
o Competitive selection of consortiums for funding support to undertake various activities of the
mission to realise its objectives in each of the phases.

• Invite proposals from consortia of Academia, Industry and Government agencies to set up
“Horizontal” Centres of Excellence across the country. These could be anchored in academia - but
have industry and other partners.
o In phase I (Y1-3), these centres will focus on basic and applied research, with lab scale
validation.
o In phase II (Y4-6), these centres will focus on translation to pilot scale validation and field trials
in the various “Vertical” Use case Labs. This will also lead to participation and contribution to
international and national standards.
o In Phase III (Y7-9), these centres will largely focus on large-scale skilling and manpower
development.

• Invite proposals from consortia of government agencies, industry, and academia to set up “Vertical”
use case field labs across the country for various verticals (Agri, Industrial Automation, Logistics
(transportation), Health, Security, Education).
o In phase I (Y1-3), these field labs will start with field scale deployment of 5G and focus on KPIs
for each use case. They will keep upgrading their installations to keep pace with advances in 5G.

6
Numbers are indicative. As a comparison, the EU has invested USD2B (with countries/companies putting in additional money).
 67

o In phase II (Y4-6), these field labs will start adopting components of 6G technologies - with an
aim to validate and contribute to standards. These will also allow the eco system to mature to
enable targeting of productization for next phase.
o In phase III (Y7-9), start-up and other industries will work towards transitioning to full 6G based
use cases (where needed) and will allow the ecosystem to expand its manufacturing and supply
chain footprint, to plan for full deployment.
o Each consortium, running these use case field labs, will work together with concerned
stakeholders to define the scope of the pilot trials for evolving the use-cases in phases.
o The consortia will also Invite other solution providers who are ready for pilot testing of their
technologies and provide all necessary support for successful testing.
o The results of all pilot trials in these use case field labs, will provide feedback to research teams,
Standardisation teams and solution development teams for further capability enhancement and
solution optimization.
• Phases II & III can focus on creating a national ecosystem (including start-ups, MSMEs, and large
Industries) of developing and mass manufacturing of solutions and helping manufacturers with
appropriate incentive schemes.
• Plan and organise adequate funds with firm commitment of timely, inclusive, and merit-based
support based on delivery and progress.
• Partial/Seed funding for Use Case Field Labs should be obtained from appropriate line ministries.
• We anticipate about 1-2B USD for Phase I (Y1-4), 1-2B USD for Phase II (Y4-7) and USD 2-10B for
Phase III (Y7-9).
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• R. Nejabati et al., "First Demonstration of Quantum-Secured, Inter-Domain 5G Service Orchestration

and On-Demand NFV Chaining Over Flexi-WDM Optical Networks," 2019 Optical Fiber
Communications Conference and Exhibition (OFC), 2019, pp. 1-3.
• Demonstration of Software Defined Network Services Utilizing Quantum Key Distribution Fully
Integrated with Standard Telecommunication Network by Diego R. Lopez, Quantum Rep. 2020, 2(3),
453-458; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum2030032
• https://quantum-internet.team/
• Industry Specification Group (Isg) On Quantum Key Distribution For Users (Qkd),
https://www.etsi.org/committee/qkd
• QKD standardization in ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27, https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/Workshops-and-
Seminars/2019060507/Documents/Presentation_Hongsong%20Shi_QKD_in_ISO-V5.pdf
• D. Huang et al., "Quantum Key Distribution Over Double-Layer Quantum Satellite Networks," in IEEE
Access, vol. 8, pp. 16087-16098, 2020, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2966683.
• Mckinsey Report: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-
telecommunications/our-insights/the-case-for-committing-to-greener-telecom-networks
• Hexa-X D1.2 – Expanded 6G vision, use cases and societal values – including aspects of
sustainability, security and spectrum, https://hexa-x.eu/d1-2-expanded-6g-vision-use-cases-and-
societal-values-including-aspects-of-sustainability-security-and-spectrum/
• Next G Alliance Report: Roadmap to 6G, https://nextgalliance.org/white_papers/roadmap-to-6g/
• Beyond 5G White Paper, ～Message to the 2030s～, Japan B5G Promotion Consortium Whitepaper
Subcommittee, whitepaper_en_1-0.pdf (b5g.jp)
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7. Appendix: Detailed Use cases

7.1. A detailed study of a Health care use case

The 6G revolution is envisioned to connect everything and control trillions of devices— macro to micro to
nano—for the digitization future. Time-sensitive healthcare applications such as haptic (involving touch, sight,
and sound) actions and holographic connections displaying three dimensional images assist healthcare
professionals using emotion-sensing wearable devices to monitor mental health, heartbeats, oxygen level,
glucose, blood pressure, and much more, as shown in below.

At present, the healthcare sector is facing numerous challenges. The deficiencies of the 5G mobile system
as an enabler of IoE (Internet of Everything) have inspired global research activities to focus on the 6G
wireless system.

The requirements of 6G communication technology for future healthcare are high data rate (>1 Tbps), high
operating frequency (>1 THz), low end-to-end delay (<1 ms), high reliability (10-9), high mobility (> 1000 km/h)
and wavelength of <300µm. Telesurgery requires real-time communications. Also, holographic
communication and augmented/virtual reality will boost up the intelligent healthcare systems. However, 5G
and B5G will be unable to support intelligent healthcare. In the 5G communication era, intelligent healthcare
will be implemented partially which will push forward a step ahead.

6G communication technology requires supporting technologies to fulfil the promises. 6G is truly AI-driven
communication technology, and thus, it requires AI to integrate its communication technology. Moreover, 6G
will enable Internet of Everything (IoE), and it will boost up many fields. Also, edge technology is necessary
for 6G technology for bringing the Cloud features closer to intelligent devices. Thus, 6G communication
technology comprises of many technologies. Some of the technologies that are vital for healthcare industry
is listed below.

• Edge Intelligence:
6G will rely on Cloud computing for storage, computing and analysis of Big Data. Data produced by
the intelligent devices are transferred to Cloud for storage, however, it consumes communication
resources and bandwidth. Off late, the technologies are brought closer to the data source due to the
exponential growth of data. This technology is Edge technology. 6G is claiming to have a high capacity
to provide
smooth services to billions of intelligent devices. 6G will rely on Edge technology to provide the
smooth and high-speed Internet services to the intelligent devices which is vital for healthcare.

• Artificial Intelligence
6G will be a truly AI-driven communication network. 6G will make every aspect of network
communication intelligent to make the system self-aware, self-compute and self-decide on a
situation. The goal of 6G is to provide global coverage, including space-air-water. This is achievable
only by making the different aspects of communication “intelligent. Implementation of AI algorithms
is generating high accuracy and performance in communication networks. Truly AI-driven
communication can offer real-time communication which is very important for modern healthcare.

• Holographic Communication
Hologram is a physical recording of an interference pattern that uses diffraction to generate a 3D light
field. The image generated has parallax, depth, and other properties of the original object. Holographic
communication uses cameras from different angles to create a hologram of the object. It will use the
core service of 6G. It will require high data rates to provide good quality of service and streaming high-
definition videos. Moreover, very low latency is required for real-time voices and immediate control
responses. Holographic communication will be a breakthrough for healthcare.
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• Augmented reality and virtual reality

Augmented reality (AR) helps to include virtuality to real objects. Moreover, it is combined with
multiple sensory abilities such as audio, visual, somatosensory, haptic etc.
AR also provides real-time interaction and presents 3D images of virtual and real objects accurately.
Virtual reality (VR) refers to presenting an imaginative or virtual world where nothing is real. AR and
VR will use the core service of combined and enhanced 6G features.

• Tactile/Haptic Internet
Haptic technology creates a virtual touch using force, motion, or vibration on the user. Tactile Internet
is used to transfer the virtual touch to another user, maybe human or a robot. Tactile Internet requires
high speed of communication to grab the tactile in real-time. This technology will be used for remote
surgery, i.e., telesurgery. It will also help doctors for diagnosis using touch without being physically
present. Haptic human-computer interaction (HCI) is classified into three types, namely, desktop,
surface, and wearable.

• Intelligent Internet of Medical Things

In 6G communication paradigm, Intelligent Internet of Medical Things (IIoMT) will evolve and serve
many purposes for well-being of humankind. IIoMT are intelligent devices that are AI-driven that
makes its own decision using communication technology. IoE will also emerge along with IIoMT, and
thus, medical things can connect to the Internet. For instance, MRI and CT scan. The scanner will scan
the devices and send the data to remote locations through 6G technology.

• HOSPITAL-TO-HOME SERVICES (H2H)

Currently, the ambulance services are just a transporter of patients with oxygen and road traffic
priority. It does not serve the purpose of emergency service due to absence of intelligence. Therefore,
the ambulance services are not impacting on our lives. Any normal car can also solve the same
purposes if we keep oxygen and emergency signal. Therefore, a new kind of ambulance service is
required to
improve lifestyle.

To replace ambulance services, the Hospital-to-Home (H2H) services will be emerging. Due to the
advent of communication technology, hospital can reach to home on demand and in an emergency.
The future vehicles will be fully AI driven to make intelligent vehicles. Therefore, H2H will be
implemented upon mobile hospital on an intelligent vehicle platform that will have a minimum
dependence on hospitals including doctors and nurses. This mobile hospital will replace ambulance
services.

• Intelligent Wearable Devices

Intelligent Wearable Devices (IWD) are connected to the Internet and transmit psychological and
physical data to test centres and monitoring centres. This device will monitor heartbeat, blood
pressure, blood tests, health conditions, body weight and nutrition. The test result will be received
quickly.
Also, IWD learn from the personal body history and advise the person for the next action, for instance,
advising for walk or running. IWD will maintain a personal history of health, nutrition, and habits.

Based on the above technology that enhances / uses the underlying 6G Core services, probable use cases
are depicted below.
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A landscape of intelligent healthcare systems. This figure includes Intelligent Internet of Medical Things
sensor, Intelligent Wearable Devices (IWD), Online Prescription, MRI, CT scan), Hospital-to-Home (H2H)
Services implements mobile hospital, Pathology, Local Doctors, Remote Doctors, and Data Scientist.

• Use case 1: Real Time Remote Emergency Care:

Emergency detection in personal cars: Acquisition of vitals through Bi-directional Tactile / Haptics
Internet, Alert to Driver, Notification to Emergency Control Centres

Drone based delivery of emergency supplies: Timely emergency medical supply to remote location,
receive emergency notification, Determine emergency location, Dispatch emergency supplies

Telepresence / Holographic based pre-hospital assessment: Remote trauma assessment,

Telepresence / Holographic examination, Remote Annotation, Receive AR based instruction

Patient monitoring inside Ambulance: Pre-hospital remote diagnosis and treatment, Monitoring of
vitals, Acquisition of medical images.

• Use case 2: Real Time Remote Monitoring and Consultation

Virtual Care Point (Rural, Public Space, Clinics): Remote Telepresence / Holographic consultation and
collaboration, Real time acquisition of Vitals through Tactile / Haptics Internet,

Tele-Consulting from Mobile Health Unit (MHU): Remote Telepresence / Holographic consultation and
collaboration, Real time acquisition of Vitals through Tactile / Haptics.

Telehealth at Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF): Teleconsultation and remote monitoring, Remote
Telepresence / Holographic consultation and collaboration, Real time acquisition of Vitals through
Tactile / Haptics, Generate alerts and notifications

Virtual Patient Rounds: Examine and treat inpatients remotely, Real time acquisition of Vitals through
Tactile / Haptics, Remote Telepresence / Holographic consultation and collaboration, Remote
diagnosis, and treatment
• Use Case 3: Tele Surgery
AR/VR Assisted Surgery : AR projection of diagnostic imaging during surgery: Rendering and
projection of imaging using AR/VR, Uncompressed real time video stream using holographic
techniques, AR/VR content caching
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Duplicating Video on Multiple Monitors at OT: Optimize OT layout to increase efficiency Telepresence
/ Holographic consultation and collaboration, Broadcasting video to multiple screens

Robotic Aided and Tele Surgery : Improve accuracy to improve surgical outcomes, Haptic feedback &
motion control data stream, Telepresence / Holographic consultation, and collaboration.

• Use Case 4: Supply Chain, Asset Mgmt., Vision Controlled Access

Equipment Tracking & Utilization: Increase efficiency, reduce shrinkage: Track and trace of assets,
plan scheduled maintenance and reduce downtime

Patient and Personnel Tracking: Utilization of personnel, safety of patients, Wearables used for
tracking, Safety of patients and hospital staff, Geo-fencing of vulnerable patients

Compliance, Access & Navigation: Control Access, Verify Compliance & help navigation, PPE
Compliance, Video based Secure Access, Mobile app based indoor navigation

Drone based delivery of urgent supplies: Timely emergency medical supply to remote location,
Receive notification & dispatch medical supplies.

7.2. A detailed study of Remote Education Use case

Remote Education provides a new approach for engaging teachers and students in India’s rural areas
seamlessly providing live classroom sessions, interactive immersive experiences, digital content, exams,
and assessments by leveraging the benefits of 5G and 6G technologies.

This digital collaboration can bring in varied capabilities,

• Omni- Channel Experiences, focused on engaging with students where they are
• Capability to schedule real- time classroom sessions for subjects where volunteers and SMEs can
conduct classroom sessions and live interactions
• Quality content available for students and teachers to access it on demand through their smart
devices and tablets.
• Evaluation capability to conducting assessments on the subjects for students with remote
monitoring of distributed students taking up national level exams
• Capability for the students to experience industry interactions and virtual visits to gain knowledge
via immersive experiences. Holographic displays for real-time multi-dimensional interaction, that
requires a very high throughput.
• Enhanced video experience using content Caching at Edge and levering 5G network Slicing (eMBB)
and future 6G technologies
• Gamification techniques to monitor and track the progress of Students and Teachers.
• Partnership with various content providers to democratize the content creation and bring in the best
of the content to the students and teachers.
• Video Analytics at Edge for better student engagement and real time attention dashboard. Also, for
online assessments with real time video monitoring with 6G
• Ability for students to learn and develop expertise in areas based on their interest, capability, and
passion
• Interactive voice- based chat bots to assist students in their learning journey.
• Predictive analytics and insights to track student behaviour and performance to enable success of
students
• AI/ML based language conversion in local languages for learning content and live course delivery
• Collaboration via ‘Virtual Spaces’
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Education and other Metaverse Use Cases

• Augmented, Virtual and Extended Reality

Usage of immersive experiences, with XR helps students to gain better experience specifically in
medical field. Remote access to surgeons in theatre can be provided to students which expands the
reach to medical consultants in teaching hospitals. Similar scenarios in bringing industry
experiences and real, interactive experiences with manufacturing industries which brings in more
practical experiences.

• Edge and Video Analytics

Recent pandemic has pushed many educational institutions to adopt remote and online learning and
assessments. It’s important to get a real time view on students’ engagements to bring in varied
interventions like immersive experiences, industry views and interactions as part of the learning
process. To analyse the student engagement levels, edge and video analytics are performed on
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these video streams. Similarly, if a large-scale assessment remotely is required, there is a need for
video analytics to make sure assessment happens in a fair manner without any malpractices.

• Transformation in Global Education

With 6G, networks evolve to support immersive, multi-dimensional interaction and collaboration that
can remove distance as a barrier to interaction. Educational institutions can re-imagine the bring in
more global university collaboration that helps our students and faculty to gain global education
from varied universities, from digital content, living labs, to expert sessions.
This further helps students to be more prepared with varied skills that industry needs and be ready
to take up variety of jobs, research programs and many more.

• Metaverse & Education

Metaverse bridges the physical world and the avatars in the virtual world built by human imagination,
leveraging Extended Reality, AI, Spatial Computing, IoT, Wearable Technologies, Decentralized, and
5G / 6G and brings in next generation User Experience. This can re-imagine the learning experience
with more collaboration, industry-academia interactions, global connects.
The Metaverse requires real time experience between what a person does and what their avatar
does without lag, hence very low latency. This requires, the network connections to be super-fast,
super-reliable and available everywhere. Also support the huge processing power as we move from
2D to 3D, holographic displays.
Complex topics e.g., Medical, Manufacturing can be addressed through’ Holographic displays used
for real-time multi-dimensional interaction, requires a very high throughput. This increases further
with concurrent data streams, hence requires Tbps, and latency to be less than 1ms.
Extend across varied other industry learning,
• Digital Twin, with physical and digital world interactions across industry sectors
• Immersive product design, reviews with 3D models, VR in manufacturing with distributed
teams
• Collaborative Learning and remote working through’ Virtual Spaces
• References
• https://infyspringboard.onwingspan.com/
• Infosys Metaverse Foundry
• https://hexa-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Hexa-X_D1.1.pdf
• 5G | Infosys
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6G Taskforce Report:
6G Spectrum
 77

Executive Summary
Society’s increasing use of radio‐based technologies, and the tremendous opportunities for social
development that these technologies provide, highlight the importance of radio‐frequency spectrum and
national spectrum management processes. Technological progress has continually opened doors to a
variety of new spectrum applications that have spurred greater interest in, and demand for, the limited
spectrum resource. Increased demand requires that spectrum be used efficiently and that effective
spectrum management processes be implemented.1 (ITU Spectrum Management Handbook).

Objectives
• Identify various spectrum needs to enable 6G in the coming years
• Spectrum availability and allocation among various radio services with reasonable certainty to bridge
adoption lag and maximize socioeconomic benefits
• Provide high speed broadband through various access technologies to address digital divide
• Signal 6G spectrum bands for industry to enable efficiently plan and build wireless infrastructure
across sectors and introduce new wireless technologies in a systematic manner
• Make spectrum available for 6G technology innovations and facilitate ease of doing R&D
• Deploy spectrum efficient technologies by all stakeholders including Government, TSPs, Enterprise
users
• Encourage spectrum sharing and optimal coexistence among various radio services; Provide
soutline for national studies related to radio frequency spectrum
• Position India as t h e hub of 6G wireless technology R&D and Manufacturing; Attract
investments in exploiting spectrum

1
ITU’s Spectrum Management Handbook
According to the ITU’s Spectrum Management Handbook, spectrum planning can be classified by time
(short term, long term and strategic) and the areas covered (spectrum use and spectrum management
systems). And ‘long term planning’ means planning that considers issues needing resolution or systems
to be implemented within five to ten years, whereas ‘short term planning’ is to be implemented within three
to five years. In comparison, strategic planning is involving the identification of a limited number of key
issues, which require concentrated spectrum management attention for solutions that need more than ten
years to be implemented. Therefore, long‐term strategy is about a defining vision and mission to solve key
issues which will be implemented over ten years related to spectrum management for spectrum utilization.
At present, most spectrum planning is relatively short‐term. However, if spectrum resources are to
adequately support national goals and objectives, long‐term planning is essential. It can provide a basis
for effective spectrum management to ensure that spectrum is efficiently allocated and assigned, to
accommodate constantly evolving spectrum requirements by new systems and their applications. It also
facilitates decision‐making by providing a basis for the practical consideration and evaluation of alternative
courses of action. Long‐term planning should endeavor to:
– make today’s decisions on spectrum planning strategies in view of their consequences for the future
– identify the impact of past decisions on the future
– periodically adjust decisions to changing circumstances
It should be sufficiently comprehensive to accommodate the national spectrum requirements of both
known and anticipated radiocommunication systems within its stated timeframe.
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• Facilitate enhanced use of wireless technologies in enhancing productivity and operational efficiency
through industry 4.0 and enterprise digitalization
• Be flexible and dynamic to incorporate new kinds of radio services in the existing bands and inter se
allocation of bands to prioritize relevant radio services.
Accordingly, the subject, ‘spectrum for 6G’ has been comprehensively analyzed from bands, services,
current gap areas in the system and ecosystem perspective. As spectrum is a resource with interplay of
different generations technologies, all spectrum bands require a review of its efficient use among Radio
service users to enable sufficient spectrum for new era services.
Specific band‐wise recommendations have been made taking note of global developments and Indian
opportunity to use spectrum as a key resource to attract investments in R&D and maximize spectrum use in
line with NDCP‐2018 objectives. Building demand in new bands is an important aspect, which is also
critically studied as part of the activity.
Structural mechanisms for coexistence studies, spectrum technology infrastructure, and capacity building
is critical to creating a systematic approach in not studying the bands ongoingly but also making them
available in a timely manner, so that adaption gap is minimized. Even these aspects are elaborated as part
of the Taskforce report.
We are confident that the recommendations would be useful for DoT in its visionary effort to work on 6G
program from the beginning. The expert team under the Taskforce would continue to engage in key
deliberations on the subject as discussions progress in harmonizing various bands across the regions
taking note of Indian objectives.

1. Introduction
National Broadband Mission: Spectrum for Rural and Urban Needs.

The Spectrum is a key natural resource to achieve India’s socio‐economic goals and maximize its utility for
common good.
A few crucial elements for Digital India include the following:

1. Real‐time Governance
2. Precision Agriculture
3. Smart Villages
4. Smart Cities’ & Smart Communities
5. Tele Medicine and Digital Health
6. Intelligent Transport Systems
7. Bullet Trains
8. AR/VR Based e‐Education
9. Smart logistics and Export Hubs
10. Security & Surveillance
11. Industry 4.0
12. Drone based services
13. Smart / Assisted Driving
14. Real‐time Public Protection and Disaster Relief
 79

Figure 1: Digital India

 80

Figure 2 shows the potential of new services by 2030 from 5G+ and 6G Technologies. These include
convergence of multiple access technologies (e.g., terrestrial and satellite), complementary technologies
of broadband and broadcast, universal coverage & high capacity for improved user experience, and
improved usage to multiple industries.

Figure 2: New Era of Services by 2030 from 5G+ and 6G Technologies

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The below table summarizes an indicative list of Digital India 2030 Mobile and Broadband Policy Objectives.

Table 1: Digital India 2030 Mobile and Broadband Policy Objectives (indicative)
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1.1 Summary of Recommendations

1. Review the spectrum bands under key recommendations and announce respective actions to
enable maximization of spectrum and use and socioeconomic benefits. There are a few bands that
need be opened‐up for generating demand for example 450‐470 MHz, 526‐612 MHz, 31‐31.3 GHz
etc.
2. There is a significant need to expand and position a larger mid‐band (7‐24 GHz) to meet
requirements of 5G+ and 6G technologies. This requires initiating an inter‐ministerial process of
repurposing several bands like that has been done earlier.
3. Apart from the need of WRC‐23, there is a need to have an institutional mechanism to enable
coexistence studies in an ongoing manner. A participatory and transparent mechanism is proposed
to be taken going forward considering its critical need to build consensus quickly on different
bands and feasibility of coexistence of different radio services and users.
4. Enterprise use of 5G, 5G+, 6G services is going to be mainstream and the spectrum vision needs to
be expanded in making spectrum available across the bands and for various use‐ cases.
5. Spectrum assignment models shall embrace a flexible paradigm to enable allocations in a
platform/application agnostic manner enabling its maximum spectrum reuse if they can coexist.
6. Delicensed or license‐exempt bands are key as a public good to enable innovation and gigabit
public Wi‐Fi by exploiting technology innovation for ex. Wi‐Fi 6E or WiGig etc. In line with this, the
lower part of 6 GHz band and at least 4.32 GHz in V band should be delicensed.
7. Tera Hz research should be encouraged considering the large swath of spectrum from 90 GHz to
3000 GHz. An industry and academia driven research testbed should be established to bring focus
on 5G+ & 6G driven active antenna systems and Intelligent Reflector Surfaces (IRS) using mmWave
and THz bands. A few countries such as USA, UK have made some of the THz bands license exempt
for some periods both for commercial deployment and R&D.
8. Spectrum Sandboxes as envisaged in NDCP is a way forward to enable R&D and testing freely in
outdoors.
9. There is an opportunity to take lead in new technology domains such as sensing, orthogonal
sharing, broadband‐broadcast convergence etc., where there is a significant research work in
progress and some products are also being piloted.
10. Strengthen WPC with state‐of‐the‐art spectrum management software to enable spectrum audit,
interference management, dynamic database systems. Capacity building is another important area
to enable necessary competencies in spectrum management.
 83

2. Spectrum considerations
2.1 Immediate considerations in WRC‐23 agenda items
WRC‐23 AI 1.1 (Resolution 223 Rev.WRC‐19) Additional frequency bands identified for International
Mobile Telecommunications

• 4 800 – 4 990 MHz

WRC‐23 AI 1.2 (Resolution 245 WRC‐19) Identification of frequency bands for IMT in 3 300‐3 400 MHz, 3 600‐3
800 MHz, 6 425‐7 025 MHz, 7 025‐7 125 MHz and 10.0‐10.5 GHz

• 600‐3 800 MHz and 3 300‐3 400 MHz (Region 2)

• 300‐3 400 MHz (amend footnote in Region 1)
• 7 025‐7 125 MHz (globally)
• 6 425‐7 025 MHz (Region 1)
• 10.0‐10.5 GHz (Region 2)

WRC‐23 AI 1.3 (Resolution 246 WRC‐19) Consideration of possible allocation to Mobile on a primary
basis in Region 1

• 600‐3 800 MHz (Region 1)

WRC‐23 AI 1.4 (Resolution 247 WRC‐19) mobile connectivity in certain frequency bands below

2.7 GHz using high‐altitude platform stations as IMT base stations

Use of high‐altitude platform stations as IMT base stations (HIBS) in the mobile service in certain frequency
bands below 2.7 GHz already identified for IMT

• 694‐960 MHz;
• 1 710‐1 885 MHz (1 710‐1 815 MHz to be used for uplink only in Region 3);
• 2 500‐2 690 MHz (2 500‐2 535 MHz to be used for uplink only in Region 3, except 2 655‐2 690 MHz
in Region 3);
WRC‐23 AI 1.5 (Resolution 235 WRC‐19) Review of spectrum use of the frequency band 470‐960 MHz in
Region 1

• 470‐694 MHz
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Key WRC‐23 agenda items related to IMT/Mobile are listed below:

Figure 3: WRC‐23 IMT agenda items (Source GSMA)

2.2 Spectrum and Tbps communications

• THz range: 100 GHz ~ 10 THz
o ITU‐R: 300 GHz ~ 3 THz

Figure 4: Source – Samsung Research

Consideration: Supporting “contiguous tens of GHz or more” bandwidth

• Necessity of studies on frequency range up to 3 THz

Figure 5: Source ‐ Samsung Research

 85

2.3 Other WRC‐19 outcomes related to >100 GHz

Figure 6: Source MTT‐S, 6G Flagship

Figure 7: Source MTT‐S, 6G Flagship

 86

2.4 Spectrum above 30 GHz and 7.125‐24 GHz

2.4.1 Spectrum above 30 GHz allocated to MOBILE services as per RR
WRC‐19 Agenda Item 1.15 (APT and CEPT proposed this agenda item as candidate WRC‐19 agenda item at WRC‐15)

• To consider identification of frequency bands for use by administrators for the land‐ mobile service
(LMS) and fixed services (FS) applications operating in the frequency range 275‐450 GHz, in
accordance with Resolution 767 (WRC‐15);
• Study scope (Res. 767, WRC‐15): Technical and operational characteristics in the LMS and FS operating
at frequencies above 275 GHz, Spectrum needs, Propagation model within 275‐450 GHz, Sharing &
compatibility studies considering protection of the passive services and Candidate bands
Outcome of WRC‐19 Agenda Item 1.15

• Identification for LMS and FS in bands between 275 and 450 GHz
o No specific condition to protect EESS passive applications: 275‐296 GHz, 306‐313 GHz, 318‐333
GHz and 356‐450 GHz
o Specific conditions to protect EESS passive applications: 296‐306 GHz, 313‐318 GHz and 333‐
356 GHz
o Specific conditions (e.g., minimum separation distance and/or avoidance angels) to protect RAS
in portions of range 275‐450 GHz

Figure 8
 87

Figure 9: Spectrum above 30 GHz allocated to MOBILE services as per Radio Regulations (source:
IAFI)

2.4.2 Spectrum between 7.125 GHz and 24 GHz allocated to MOBILE services on
Primary basis as per RR

Figure 10: Spectrum between 7.125 GHz and 24 GHz allocated to MOBILE services on Primary basis
as per Radio Regulations
 88

2.5 Leveraging Indigenous 5G Testbed Experience for 6G

Figure 11: 5G Antenna Development and Massive MIMO (Source SAMEER, CEWiT)
India has successfully executed a multi‐institute collaborative program “Indigenous 5G end to end test‐bed”
meeting 5G standards. This may be continued for fostering continued 6G researching

• The expertise and the knowledge gained during 5G project may be leveraged to develop 6G systems.
• To explore the potential impact that THz could have on next generation 6G technology, design,
development, and demonstration of an end‐to‐end THz links may be considered.
• The demonstration can be a major milestone in exploring the feasibility of using the THz spectrum
for 6G wireless communications.

2.6 ITU‐R and World Radio Conference 2023

• ITU‐R WP5D has started working on a report on Technical Feasibility of IMT in Bands Above 100 GHz
which includes propagation models, enabling technologies, deployment scenarios, and use cases.
• ITU‐R WP5D is also developing the Future Technology Trends report (started work from the 36th
meeting of WP5D and the report will get finalized in the 41st meeting of WP5D)
• ITU‐R WP5D is developing 6G Vision Recommendation (2021 – June 2023) which will also provide an
overall timeline for 6G (Standardization, Spectrum, and Deployment).
 89

3. Existing National Regulations

The Indian Telegraphy Act 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, enables the Central Government
to manage the radio waves, issue wireless apparatus license under the law and prohibit certain apparatus
to operate.
NDCP: Department of Telecommunications has prescribed National Digital Communication Policy in 2018
which is a roadmap for next 5 years. Policy Objective on Spectrum Management as per National Digital
Communication Policy (NDCP) 2018 mainly is Recognizing Spectrum as a key natural resource for public
benefit to achieve India’s socioeconomic goals, ensure transparency in allocation and optimize availability
and utilization. The NDCP needs to be revised keeping in view the progress made and with new global
developments.
NFAP: From time-to-time National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) is reviewed and updated to
accommodate the spectrum requirements for latest technological developments keeping the global
harmonization in mind. Latest NFAP is effective from 25.10.2018. The NFAP is already under revision
taking note of WRC‐2019 outcomes.

4. Recommendations
4.1 New bands are critical for India
Unlike several other countries, who have an extended mid‐band from 3.400‐4.200 GHz and 4.400‐5.000
GHz, India has a very limited mid‐band i.e., 3.300‐3.670 GHz. Apart from 5G, 5G+ even 6G and futuristic
mobile technologies need mid‐band as they will have several applications which may need different
spectrum bands. Despite the announcement of WRC‐19 that a spectrum of 17.25 GHz is made available
for IMT, it is to be noted that all these bands are in millimetre zone, and they have high space losses and
regulations to protect adjacent bands (24.25‐27.5 & 37‐ 40.5 GHz band) (additional restrictions offing from
2027). Further, the band, 45.500‐47.000 GHz is not applicable to India.
A few mid‐band segments have been identified as below for further timebound studies to enable efficient
use of spectrum through enhanced coexistence options. The objective is to ensure sufficient spectrum is
made available for 6G while efficiently taking care of spectrum provisioning for other services.

Figure 12: Need to expand mid‐band for 5G+, 6G services

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While the newly created IMT bands in millimetre wave, would be a valuable resource, significant benefits
economic impact can be derived from mid‐ band and sub 1 GHz bands. This is more so considering the
developed device ecosystem and capex involved in providing a wider coverage. Most of the initial global
deployments in 5G are in mid‐band considering its reasonably large coverage and capacity characteristics.
Whereas the millimetre band is envisaged to cover hotpots and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) kind of
applications. A few bands are identified as below for coordination, repurposing and further study to prepare
for the 6G era in the mid band.

4.1.1 Specific Actions – Low and Mid‐band

Table 2

SI. Status IMT Bands Quantity Potential for 5G, Remarks

No (MHz) 5G+. 6G and BWA

1 Announce 450‐470 As per Sub 1 GHz band This is an existing IMT band
MHz2 ITU‐R for IMT (IND 16 of NFAP). May take
M.1036 five or more years to
(Section 2)
mature.

Option 1: Offer the band

at Zero cost for all TSPs for
5 years to build and offer
the applications
commercially only for
mMTC, uRLLC.
Option 2: Offer the band
for Railways to use in IMT
to trigger indigenous
product development.
Band 31 (3GPP)
Option 3: Offer the band
for Rural connectivity
using indigenous
products
2 Announce 582‐612 30 M2M/IoT / Rural Low power IMT Pvt Networks
MHz links based on indigenous
technologies and Rural
Connectivity
links

3 Announce in 526‐582 56 Next Generation Low power IMT Networks in

consultation MHz Broadband & convergence use in
with MIB Broadcasting / coordination with
MIB services; (Analog TV
 91

2
NDCP envisages maximization of socio‐economic benefits using spectrum as a resource. The band 450‐
470 MHz is one of the IMT and 3GPP bands. It may be recalled that the commercial band 700 MHz segment
is idle for over six years. Apart from 700 MHz band, a new 600 MHz band is also carved out from
broadcasting and government use bands. Further, the 2G bands may become 4G bands in subscribers
migrate and subject to business decisions. Hence, considering the opportunity cost, we may consider
offering the spectrum band 450‐ 470 MHz to either Railways or TSPs free for initial 5 years to build demand
in the virgin band. As the applications proposed are IMT services including uRLLC, mMTC, the proposal will
enable digitalization of strong industry 4.0 applications using 5G enhancing productivity for Indian products
in global market.
2 ibid. Considering the opportunity cost, we may consider offering the spectrum 526‐612 MHz band free for
initial 5 years to build demand in the virgin band between 500‐ 600 MHz as 700 MHz band itself is yet to be
exploited.
 92

mMTC, uRLLC of Transmitters announced

5G to be shut down)
Sub 1 GHz band Offer the band at Zero cost
for IMT for all TSPs for 5 years to
build and offer the
applications commercially
for mMTC, uRLLC and other
convergence
applications.

4 Announce 612‐703 40 (FDD) mMTC, uRLLC of This is a green field band.

MHz 5G Also recommended by TRAI
APT 600 Sub 1 GHz band for commercialization in the
MHz for IMT current recommendations.
band Subject to the outcome of
plan the auction process, take
measures to
generate demand.

5 Announce 1.427‐ 91 Mid‐band for IMT WRC 15; ITU R M.1036‐

1.518 5 (under revision); Part with
GHz government agencies;
Broadcast Studio links
require
Relocation: dependency is on
Resolution 223 (WRC‐
19)

6 Study with 2.500‐ 70 Band n41 TDD is an Current MSS services are
DoS 2.535 option affected due to interference
2.655‐ from foreign IMT stations.
2.690 ISRO planning to migrate MSS
GHz to another band.
Only India is said to be using
the band for MSS, so
interference may
continue to affect.

7 Study with 2.555‐ 80 Band n41 TDD is an Subject to precious orbital

DoS 2.635 option allocations vis a vis efficient
GHz use of the S
band
 93

8 Study with 4.400‐ 400 MHz Potential band for 3GPP band with device
Government 4.800 5G, 6G services ecosystem (with other
Agencies for GHz government agencies 4.400‐
relocation or 4.940 MHz).
coexistence

9 Study with 4.800‐ 140 Potential band for IMT band (4.800‐4.990).
Government 4.940 IMT or IMT based Part under other
Agencies for GHz Private networks government agencies
relocation or 4.400‐4.940 MHz).
coexistence

10 (May be 4.940‐ 60 Potential band for 3GPP 5G Band; To maximize

decided 5.000 IMT or IMT based the value, a view may be
along with Private networks taken in tandem with the
the above outcome of the coordination
band) on the band 4.8‐4.94 GHz
above.

11 Study with 6.425‐ 600 Mid‐band for IMT WRC‐23; Res 2453 WRC‐
DoS 7.025 19 (Region 1 studies); We may
GHz await study results

12 Study 7.025‐ 100 Mid‐band for IMT WRC 23; Res 245 WRC‐
7.125 19 (Global studies); We may
GHz await study results

13 Study with 10.000‐ 500 Mid‐band for IMT WRC 23: Res 245 WRC‐
MoD for 10.500 19 (Region 2 studies); We may
coexistence GHz await study results

14 Study with 5.925‐ 500 Mid‐band for Consider for delicensing to

DoS 6.425 BWA or Lowe enable Wi‐Fi 6 in line with
GHz power Wi‐Fi global
services Developments

3
Res 811 WRC 19: 1.2 to consider identification of the frequency bands 3 300‐3 400 MHz, 3 600‐3 800 MHz, 6 425‐7 025
MHz, 7 025‐7 125 MHz and 10.0‐10.5 GHz for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), including possible additional
allocations to the mobile service on a primary basis, in accordance with Resolution 245 (WRC‐19).
 94

4.1.2 Specific Actions Millimetre bands:

Table 3

SI. No Status IMT Bands Quantity Potential for Remarks

(MHz) 5G, 5G+. 6G
and BWA
1 Announce 31.000 – 300 Indigenous Green field Mobile Band; Low
31.300 GHz technologies power Mobile Pvt Networks
based on indigenous
technologies

2 Band segmentation 37.000‐ WRC‐19 IMT

39.500 GHz Band‐
We may announce it for
FSS and other services,
subject to efficient
deployment of satellite
systems. Otherwise, it
may be reviewed for IMT
requirement
after 5 years.

3 Band segmentation 39.500‐ Potential WRC‐19 IMT

40.500 GHz band for low Band‐Reserved for MSS
power IMT (39.500‐
based Private 40.500) and Low power
networks Pvt Networks subject to
feasibility.

4 Announce 40.500‐ 3000 Millimetre‐ WRC‐19 IMT

43.500 GHz (TDD) band for IMT Band; Open the band for
Commercial use @ ZERO
Cost for 5 years to generate
demand to all TSPs

5 Push for Indian 45.500‐ WRC‐19 IMT

need in foot notes 47.000 Band; Proposed for MSS and
GHz NGSO
 95

6 Study 47.200‐ WRC‐19 IMT

48.200 Band;
GHz Proposed for MSS and NGSO

7 Announce 66.000‐ 5000 Millimetre‐ WRC‐19 IMT Band

71.000 band for IMT This is a green field band.
GHz May take five or more years
to mature. Offer the band
ZERO cost for all TSPs for 5
years to build and offer the
applications in uRLLC,
MMTC and
FWA commercially

4.2 Private Networks/Non‐Public Networks/Industry 4.0 in 5G, 5G+, 6G Era

Non‐public networks are intended for the sole use of a private entity such as an enterprise as per 3GPP TS
22.261. First step towards the Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) is the digitalization of asset‐ intensive industries to have
connected ecosystem to improve business efficiency and automated processes. To realize the full vision
of Industry 4.0, the next generation of industrial wireless, based on 3GPP mobile technologies such as
4.9G/LTE and 5G, are essential. And to develop device ecosystem, identification of frequencies is
necessary as Radio frequencies are significant importance to a country’s economy and society because
they allow all wireless communications devices, including mobile phones and wireless broadband, to
operate.
To enable new usage of the spectrum and to support innovation in order to meet the local wireless
connectivity demands of Industry 4.0, timely identification and allocation of spectrum is necessary.
Advantages:

• This will support growth and innovation across a range of sectors such as manufacturing,
enterprise, logistics, agriculture, mining, and health.
• It could enable organizations to set up their own local networks with greater control over security,
resilience, and reliability than they may have currently.
 96

Global trend and spectrum consideration are placed at Annexure. As can be seen from the annexure, most
countries have made spectrum available in mid‐band & in millimetre bands. To reap the benefits of the
already available device ecosystem in these bands, similar bands may be provided for the purpose of
deployment of private networks in India also. Further, a few new bands in IMT and other mobile bands, as
part of coexistence with other services could be considered for study on developing indigenous
technologies for Private networks as well.

Figure 14
Globally in this direction, many countries have already assigned spectrum bands for the innovation and
proliferation of the private 5G services as shown in below table:
 97

Table 4

Mid band (1‐6 GHz) mm Wave bands

S. No. Country
Quantity (in
Non‐Public Network MHz) Non‐Public Network Quantity

3800‐4200 MHz
2390‐2400 MHz 400 MHz
1 UK
1781.7‐1785 10 MHz 24.25‐26.5 GHz 2250
MHz/1876.7‐1880 MHz 3.3 MHz (shared, Indoor use) MHz

CBRS band‐3.5
GHz (3550‐3700
2 USA
MHz)
EBS band‐2.5 Ghz 150 MHz
(educational purposes)

24.25‐27.5 GHz
3700‐3800 MHz (for (Technology
3 Germany regional and local 5G and Service‐ 3250
networks) 100 MHz neutral MHz
basis)

28.2‐28.3 GHz* (for

indoor & Campus‐ for
Broadband fixed
4 Japan wireless services)
Planned for Planned for Future: 100 MHz
300 MHz 28.2‐29.1 GHz 900 MHz
Future: 4.6‐4.9
GHz

5 Sweden 3720‐3800 MHz (Local and 24.25–25.1 GHz

80 MHz 850 MHz
regional licenses) (Local 5G)

6 Netherlands 3450‐3500 MHz/3750‐ 26 GHz (for local and

3800 MHz (Year 2026) 50 MHz shared use)

7 France 2570‐2620 MHz 50 MHz

8 Russia 24.25‐24.65 GHz 400 MHz

9 Norway 2300‐2400 MHz 23 GHz band

3600 MHz 100 MHz 26 GHz band
10 New Zealand 2575‐2620 MHz 45 MHz
24.9‐26.5 GHz
(beauty contest, 1600
11 Malaysia national basis) MHz
26.5‐28.1 GHz (first 1600
come‐first serve) MHz
 98

4.2.1 Specific Actions: Private Networks

Table 5

Sl. Status Potential IMT Bands Quantity Remarks

No. (MHz)
1 Announce 3.670‐3.700 GHz 30 Low power IMT Pvt Networks
Study 3.700‐3.800 GHz 100 TRAI recommendation
2 Announce 24.25‐24.750 GHz 500 24.25‐24.65 GHz ‐ Currently
reserved for BSNL; More
suitable for low power campus
networks considering its
proximity for EESS Passive
service spectrum. It is required
to protect 23.8 GHz from out of
band emissions
from these segments.

3 Announce 582‐614 MHz 32 Low power IMT Pvt Networks

based on indigenous
technologies
4 Announce in 526‐582 MHz 56 Low power IMT Pvt Networks in
consultation coordinated use with MIB
with MIB services on non‐interference
and non‐protection from TV
transmission

5 Study with 4.800‐4.940 GHz 140 Option 1: IMT

MoD Option 2: Low power IMT Pvt
6 Announce 4.940‐5.000 GHz 60 Networks
7 Study with 3.700‐4.200 GHz As Segments to be identified
DoS available
8 Study with 28.500‐29.500 GHz TRAI recommendation
DoS
9 Study with 39.500‐40.500 GHz 1000 DoS MSS service would be
DoS predominant user. Co‐sharing
with Low power IMT Pvt
Networks
10 Study 31.000 – 31.300 GHz 300 Low power Mobile Pvt
Networks based on indigenous
technologies
 99

4.3 Unlicensed/License Exempt Operations

The BIS study report4 on spectrum needs for smart infrastructure stresses the need for delicensed
/unlicensed spectrum to service various infrastructure needs.

The report mentions that the world is undergoing an unprecedented pace of urbanization, and so is India.
This rapid scale of urbanization will need smarter, sustainable cities based on smart infrastructure that are
able to manage city utilities and services effectively and efficiently for its citizens.
With the Government of India initiative of developing 100 smart cities as light house projects being already
underway, the technology adoption and smart infrastructure deployment in Indian cities has accelerated like
never before. Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine (M2M) communications have become buzz
words in the technology domains. The Ministry of Urban & Housing Affairs (MoUHA) in its initial concept
note on Smart Cities have identified Social Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure, Institutional Infrastructure
and Economic Infrastructure as the four pillars of a smart city.
Beyond leveraging ICT in the digitization of Institutional, Economic, Social & Governance Infrastructures of
a city, a glimpse into the physical infrastructure brings out a few staggering numbers on the business aspect
of this ICT Infrastructure paradigm and its intervention in a smart city. Consider the scenario in India, as an
example:

• In next five years, more than 350 million Smart Electricity Meters are going to be procured & deployed
under the NSGM (National Smart Grid Mission). All these 350 million Smart Meters are going to use
Communication Modules and Gateways/DCUs (Data Concentrator Units). At a conservative figure of
One DCU/Gateway to 500 Smart Meters, 250 million Communication Modules & 0.5 million
DCUs/Gateways shall be needed for the last mile communication in the Smart Metering (AMI)
Deployments alone
• Smart Streetlights in next five years, are going to use more than 150 million Communication Modules
and at least half a million of DCUs/Gateways.
• Smart Buildings are going to deploy more than 50 million smart Sensors and at least 500K‐ 800K
DCUs/gateways.
• Similarly, various applications of the Smart Infrastructure paradigm like Smart Water, Smart Gas, Smart
Traffic, Smart Environment, Smart Waste Management, Smart Sewage Disposal etc. are going to use a
few billions of Smart Sensors with Communication Modules and DCUs/Gateways correspondingly with
at the least worst-case ratio of 1:100 to 1:500.

4
https://www.services.bis.gov.in:8071/php/BIS_2.0/eBIS/wp‐content/uploads/2020/11/Spectrum‐
Requirement‐for‐Smart‐Infrastructure‐ 20200924‐FINAL‐1.pdf
 100

• Even if the unified Communication Infrastructure is deployed, the number of sensor Communication
modules is not going to reduce; only the DCUs/Gateways needed shall reduce but shall need enhanced
features and design complexities.
To summarize, it is reported that India is going to need a minimum of 8‐10 billion Communication Modules
to be integrated into the Smart Sensors and Controllers and 10-50 Million Gateways that shall be needed
to operate and maintain the Nation‐wide Critical Infrastructure that needs to be deployed to enable and
empower the citizens to lead a sustainable, safe, and secure life.
Further, there is a strong appetite for mobile accessories considering India’s billion mobile ecosystem.
Device accessories including headphones, wireless charges, smart devices connecting to mobiles, smart
devices connecting household devices and appliances are envisaged to transform the quality of experience
for the consumer.
As many devices are expected to be connected in near future, present allocation of frequency band of 3
MHz (865‐868 MHz) in the Sub Giga Hertz Frequency Bands may not be sufficient for the entire
M2M/IoT/Smart Cities ecosystems requirements to offer seamless services.
Unlicensed spectrum is going be key in serving the following smart infrastructure needs for the public in a
big way in next ten years.

• Energy
• Water
• Waste Management
• Intelligent Transport System – Smart Parking, Traffic Congestion Management…
• Manufacturing, SCADA & Industrial Automation
• Health – Active Assisted Living
• Agriculture o Environment
• Smart Homes & Buildings
• Personal devices and accessories
• Household appliances
 101

Figure 15: Source ITU

The BIS report recommends 18 MHz of contiguous unlicensed spectrum to meet the target of 5 billion IoT
devices as per NDCP 2018 either in 850 MHz band (851‐869 MHz) or in 900 MHz band. Considering that,
the report is for the next ten years, the separation band i.e., 915‐935 MHz should be considered for
operating low-power SRDs considering the globally developed device ecosystem.
About spectrum for short-range devices (SRD), the device ecosystem is present in several small bands
across the radio spectrum. These devices range from audio assist devices, hearing aids, traffic and
telematics devices, active medical implant devices including pacemakers, wearable devices, wireless
chargers, and inductive devices, among others. A whole list of the product range is requested from the
industry from time to time. Though several bands are delicensed, there is a need to continuously scan the
landscape and take necessary action to make available world‐class equipment and devices to the Indian
public in a timely manner.
Hence, a standing committee under Member (Technology) is envisaged to be constituted with members
from DoT, WPC, Academia, and Industry to periodically review on a quarterly basis and make
recommendations to DoT for delicensing these very low power devices ranging from nanowatts to
milliwatts
To begin with, as done earlier, the recommendations/ decisions of the European Commission, FCC, and
ETSI could be taken into consideration who primarily contribute to the development of the device
ecosystem.
 102

4.3.1 Specific Actions: Unlicensed / License‐Exempt operations

Table 6

Sl. Status Band Quantity Proposal Remarks

No. (MHz)
1 Announce 915‐935 20 Delicense for low The band is part of
MHz power IoT / M2M government agency’
Operations spectrum. However,
the proposed use of
IoTs is at very low
power levels, no
interference is
envisaged. Similar to
the case of 24.0‐24.25
GHz (NFAP‐18 footnote
IND 34)
2 Announce 5.875‐5.925 50 Delicense for use Current allocation for
of C‐V2X systems Dedicated Short Range
(Cellular Vehicle to Communication (DSRC)
Everything) for for Intelligent
intelligent Transport Systems (IND
transport in smart 30). DSRC has not
city / highway taken off and the band
safety and other is lying idle. Replace
DSRC with C‐V2X.
applications
3 Announce 57.000‐ 4560 Delicense for Wi‐Fi services based on
61.560 GHz indoor and 802.11.ad, ay would
(2*2.16 outdoor low enable Gigabit Wi‐Fi
GHz) power operations services. The band is
suitable for delicensing
(Opportunity to due to peaking oxygen
connect absorption in this range
Households and even within V Band.
Enterprises
4 Announce 5.925‐6.425 500 Potential for Delicense for Wi-Fi 6E
GHz gigabit Wi-
Fi services
 103

4.4 Spectrum for Innovation and Experimentation – THz Research

Spectrum for innovation and experimentation is attracting investments globally considering the available
facilitation from a country. Indian start‐ups and SMEs are gearing up well in wireless technologies and this
provides an opportunity to open unused and new bands to enable innovation blossom in line with global
trends. Some segments would be permitted with unlicensed operations and the rest under special
innovation program.
New bands for Experimentation and delicensing

Open spectrum bands > 95 GHz bands to trigger innovation and Experimentation to take lead in the
development of innovative Wireless products under Make in India in new bands.

• Offer experimental licenses (like that of FCC)5 for the 95 GHz to 3 THz range to promote innovation
and new product development.
• Maximum 10 years experimental license
• These licenses would offer increased flexibility compared to conventional experimental licenses
by providing for longer license terms, license transferability, and the ability to sell equipment during
the experimental term.
• Permitted to market experimental devices designated to operate in the bands above 95 GHz via
direct sale. (i.e., To allow direct sales to members of the general public)
• Delicense 4 segments of bands for unlicensed operations to enable new product innovation and
development.

4.4.1 Specific Actions: Spectrum for innovation and experimentation

Table 7

Sl. Status Band Quantity (MHz) Proposal

No.
1 Announce 95 GHz – 3 THz As per Offer experimental
experimental licenses with enabling
needs conditions for
commercial sale and
operations

2 Announce 116.000‐123.000 GHz 7000 Unlicensed operations

in Indoor and outdoor
for TEN years
3 Announce 174.800‐182.000 GHz 7200 As above

5
FCC Order Spectrum Horizons: First Report and Order – ET Docket 18‐21
 104

4 Announce 185.000‐190.000 GHz 5000 As above

5 Announce 244.000‐246.000 GHz 2000 As above

4.5 Measure to promote Experimentation in Satellite-based products and services

Suitable Experimental License rules should be developed for satellite‐based experiments and trials and
granted Experimental License in a time‐bound manner at affordable costs. A detailed policy should be
worked out in consultation with all stakeholders, especially the department of space on how to facilitate
experimental use of the spectrum.

4.6 Experimental Test Zones

Wireless product development involves rigorous testing of product functions under real radiating conditions
subjecting to seasonal variations, varying characteristics of radiating resources, and mitigation of potential
interference issues. This requires outdoor testing as part of maturity cycle in real field conditions. There is a
need to enhance ease of doing business by reducing transaction costs involved in obtaining such outdoor
testing permissions and coordination involved with licensed users especially if the products are being
developed in licensed bands. DoT has already facilitated spectrum framework for experimentation, R&D,
Manufacturing, Technology Trials and Demonstrations primarily for indoor through self‐declaration and for
outdoor cases through coordination as applicable. However, there is a strong need for facilitating such
outdoor testing in ‘Spectrum Regulatory Sandboxes’, so that innovators could access these test zones
quickly facilitating ease of doing R&D.
It is proposed to establish outdoor / radiating testing facilities under two categories in demarcated zones:

• Outdoor Testing in Unallocated, Unallotted, Unassigned, Unsold bands which are literally available but
NOT being used in the country and currently not offered to enable R&D and experimentation.
• Outdoor Testing in assigned bands (which generally can’t be offered for testing as they are being used
by the telecom licensees) in interior and remote areas where such bands are not being used.
The central theme of Spectrum Test Zones is to set up ‘Spectrum Regulatory Sandboxes’ in different
Geographical zones (remote), Campuses, Academic institutes, R&D Lab campuses, Government campuses
(e.g., CDoT, CDAC, ITI, BEL, SAMEER etc.), Telecom Service Providers, etc., wherein Startups, SMEs,
Organizations, etc., could test their wireless products/ technologies I the
 105

bands for various radio services as identified in the Radio Regulations for R&D, Experimentation, etc.

4.6.1 Specific Action: THz Testbed

DoT should invite proposals to establish a THz test bed in partnership with industry and academia to enable
state-of-the-art R&D in THz research and technologies.

4.7 Spectrum studies enablement

4.7.1 Spectrum Center of Excellence for Competency and Capacity building in
Spectrum Management
The recent times have seen more and more dependency on wireless systems for various communications
requirements in almost all sectors. This is specifically so in cellular and broadband wireless networks. With
the explosion in the use of wireless broadband, the radio frequency spectrum has become a very valuable
resource. Various stakeholders like the government departments, operators, and technology developers
are looking for the right technologies and policies to make the best of the available spectrum to meet the
current and future demands of wireless communications.
Due to the ever‐increasing need for spectrum, the frequencies being licensed are also increasing rapidly. In
the case of broadband wireless networks, as the networks evolved from 2G to 3G to 4G, the frequency
bands also moved from 0.8 GHz to 1.8 GHz to 3.3 GHz, and now towards millimeter wave bands in 5G. The
computing platforms are also becoming powerful enough to handle the demands of higher frequency
bands. Many of these bands are new to the applications and technologies that they will be subjected to.
Broadband networks are considered as critical infrastructure in India like anywhere else in the world. Many
government services are run over broadband networks. The whole economy and the national GDP itself
depend on how good the communication infrastructure is established across the country.
Spectrum, though the most critical element to meet this requirement, is however considered a scarce
natural resource. It needs to be utilized optimally and in a very efficient manner. The Government policies
need to ensure the best use of the spectrum by various agencies that fulfill the national requirements and
the need of its citizens. The technologies implemented should be the most efficient and suitable for that
spectrum band. There is a need to understand various aspects of the radio spectrum while arriving at policy
and technological decisions. For example, the propagation characteristics change dramatically as we move
to mm‐wave frequencies, and one must revisit the existing spectrum licensing model to ensure high
spectrum efficiency. One also needs to explore spectrum-sharing modes of licensing. Finally, with so much
spectrum being licensed, monitoring for compliance and unauthorized use becomes equally important. All
 106

of this calls for entirely new studies on propagation and coverage regions of different types of antennas at
high frequencies, real‐time geospatial databases for licensing and monitoring, dynamic opportunistic use
of white spaces as determined from the database, IoT sensors for nation‐wide monitoring of spectrum,
simulators for multi‐antenna wireless links, etc.
To cater to these, the proposed Institute of Advanced Radio Spectrum Engineering and Management
Studies (IARSEMS) should draw a roadmap for 6G spectrum research.

4.7.2 Spectrum Infrastructure for Coexistence studies

Spectrum is going to play a more critical socioeconomic role in forwarding the Digital India program.
However, the Indian market poses a quite challenging and potential environment for the deployment of
wireless technologies and services. It is challenging because of limited technological competencies in
government agencies to appreciate the coexistence opportunities involved in spectrum sharing, and
identification of new bands among different stakeholders, especially the government agencies. This
presents a big challenge for the deliberations at ITU, APT, and stakeholder discussions with the government.
It further gets aggravated with the arguments ranging from ‘global studies don’t apply to India-specific uses’
to ‘there are no ITU studies yet’ or ‘it is not possible to share’ etc. On another side, the Indian market presents
a tremendous opportunity due to the imminent need for wireless technologies due to its sheer size in terms
of population, largely middle class, geography, rapidly growing appetite for internet services, economic
ambition to reach $5 trillion by 2025 ($1 trillion from the digital economy) and large unconnected segments
(enterprises, infrastructure, villages).
In view of the explicit need to promote coexistence opportunities by taking note of country-specific
requirements, identifying new bands, to develop clarity & take a position in global spectrum discussions
there is a demand to institutionalize coexistence testing mechanisms and build spectrum testing
infrastructure. The time lag between the identification of bands necessary for the country’s needs and the
rolling out of services needs to be minimized to minimize the opportunity cost.
Creating an institutional framework to ‘enable ongoing studies on coexistence of spectrum, identification
of new bands’ on a neutral platform is critical to address the above challenges and reap the opportunities
for the industry and public.
It is recommended to set up a “Spectrum Studies Council” (SSC) on priority under a collective engagement
with premium academic institutions with spectrum expertise in PPP mode. Considering the size of the
studies, it is going to be a mammoth task unless multiple expert institutions and industries come together
with stakeholders in partnership with DoT. This is more so because WRC is scheduled for next year (2023),
and several countries are carrying out on‐ground studies since 2019.
 107

The studies should invariably take note of models considering key technology components, deployment
scenarios, system parameters, channel model, propagation model, and updated protection requirements.
Create on-ground sharing study groups by involving the stakeholders. Timelines of deliverables should be
harmonized globally while keeping the focus on national and regional requirements.

4.7.3 Spectrum Management Software; Dynamic Database Systems; Wideband

sensors for Spectrum Monitoring
If the spectrum is to be used efficiently, its use must be coordinated and regulated through both national
regulations and the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ability of
each country to take full advantage of the spectrum resource depends heavily on spectrum management
activities that facilitate the implementation of radio systems and ensure minimum interference. To this end,
administrations should, as appropriate, make use of computerized spectrum management systems
(Handbook on National Spectrum Management Edition of 2015)

4.7.3.1 Spectrum Management Software

Industry inputs convey the need for state‐of‐the‐art spectrum management software, which would enhance
the effectiveness and efficiency of WPC operations.
“WPC to source appropriate and advanced spectrum management SW tools to enhance efficiency in
allocation, monitoring, technology adoption and help further interference, capacity studies from
ITU/GSMA/ETSI or others, similar to Regulators like Ofcom, FCC, etc. This will also help promote new
spectrum allocations for innovations, new technologies and existing spectrum deployments, monitoring
and efficient use, at par the developed world.”
The current IT modules deployed on Saral Sanchar are administrative modules and it needs to be
complemented with spectrum management software, which is critical to enable professional and technical
management of the spectrum. Apart from a few global vendors, even ITU offers software called SMS4DC
(Spectrum Management Software for Developing Countries) at a nominal cost.
The Spectrum Management Software has several tools for spectrum engineering, allocation, interference
assessment, etc., as below.

1. Engineering tools
2. Administrative database and licensing system
3. Graphical information system
4. Links to monitoring software
5. Information on Geographic Information Platform etc.

A state‐of‐the‐art Spectrum Management Software should be deployed in DoT in the next 12 months.
 108

4.7.3.2 Dynamic Database System (DDS)

Dynamic database systems for allocation/ interference management are gaining popularity in developed
countries to enhance the efficient use of the spectrum across user segments. As per the FCC regulations,
the popular CBRS band in the USA is offered to three categories of users depending on their priority use.
A technical committee would be formed to assess the relevance of dynamic database systems, since there
are licensed users in certain bands, the band utilization may be very limited impacting the opportunity cost
to maximize the socioeconomic benefits, especially in sub 1 GHz and mid-band spectrum bands.

4.8 Spectrum Availability for 6G

Spectrum is one of the key enablers for new technology development and rollout. Different countries had
considered spectrum availability and regulatory readiness as key strategic steps for early adoption,
enabling the ecosystem and leading the technology development and rollout. E.g., USA 5G FAST6 program
enabled early availability and roadmap for the 5G spectrum, including joint coordination among various
users and a strategy for vacating incumbent users to make space for 5G.
A similar approach is key for India to take lead in 6G at the same time taking steps to ensure early availability
of spectrum already identified for 5G (e.g., 5G HLF recommendations). Spectrum is a scarce resource;
therefore, all efforts should be made to maximize the usage of spectrum by allowing sharing among
contending services. The below-given approach could be considered for the identification of spectrum,
when to share and how to share.
To ensure the readiness of the spectrum for 6G, a systematic and focused approach geared towards making
the frequency ranges available is essential. The proposed approach is shown in the Figure below.

6
The FCC's 5G FAST Plan, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC‐354326A1.pdf
 109

Identify protected
incumbents

Yes
Relocate
6G Priority Strategy
incumbents?
Yes

No No

Protection Criteria, Propagation

Strategy/Timeline/Plan for Models, System Parameters,
technology upgrade/ IMT‐2030 Network Modeling
relocation and refarming of
incumbent users

Sharing and Compatible

Studies

Sharing Feasible
without pre‐conditions
Yes
Coexistence
feasible?

Sharing Feasible with

No mitigation measures

LAST RESORT:
Band
Segmentation

Figure 16: An approach towards ensuring timely and predictable availability of 6G spectrum (Source: 5GIF)
 110

5. Annexure
A.1 Term of Reference of Task Force
• To reform mid‐band and sub-1-GHz spectrum
• To consider the feasibility of 6 GHz and 10 GHz bands
• To consider more candidate bands in mmWave bands
• To explore the feasibility of the THz band
• To recommend options on secondary use of spectrum
• To consider new spectrum ownership and sharing models enabling flexible spectrum allocation
• To consider the integration of emerging coverage solutions like Satellites, Drones, unmanned aerial
vehicles etc. and consider their spectrum requirements
• To provide a roadmap for channel measurements and new channel models for mmWave and THz
bands
• To identify co‐existence and dynamic spectrum sharing study items
• Any other items in the scope of 6G activities and overall deliverables

A.2 Major decisions of WRC‐19 w.r.t. ITU Region 3

A.2.1 Mobile Broadband
• IMT‐Additional bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) identified in the 24.25‐
27.5 GHz, 37‐43.5 GHz, 45.5‐47 GHz, 47.2‐48.2, and 66‐71 GHz bands, facilitating the development
of fifth generation (5G) mobile networks. A total of 17.25 GHz was identified for IMT in comparison
with 1.9 GHz available before WRC‐19 with certain regulatory conditions and exceptions.
• Wi‐Fi networks – Regulatory provisions revised to accommodate both indoor and outdoor usage and
the growth in demand for wireless access systems, including RLANs for end‐ user radio
connections to public or private core networks, such as Wi‐Fi, while limiting their interference into
existing satellite services.
• High‐altitude platform stations (HAPS) – Additional frequency bands Identified for High Altitude
Platform Systems – radios on aerial platforms hovering in the stratosphere – to facilitate
telecommunications within a wide coverage area below for affordable broadband access in rural
and remote areas.
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A.2.2 Satellite Services

• Earth exploration‐satellite (EESS) service – Protection accorded to EESS with the possibility of
providing worldwide primary allocation in the frequency band 22.55‐23.15 GHz to allow its use for
satellite tracking, telemetry, and control.
• Non‐Geostationary Satellites – Regulatory procedures established for non‐geostationary satellite
constellations in the fixed‐satellite service, opening the skies to next‐generation communication
capabilities. Mega‐constellations of satellites consisting of hundreds to thousands of spacecrafts
in low‐Earth orbit are becoming a popular solution for global telecommunications, as well as
remote sensing, space and upper atmosphere research, meteorology, astronomy, technology
demonstration and education.
• Regulatory changes introduced to facilitate rational, efficient, and economical use of radio
frequencies and associated orbits, including the geostationary‐satellite orbit.
• Broadcasting‐satellite service (BSS) – Protection of frequency assignments, providing a priority
mechanism for developing countries to regain access to spectrum orbit resources.

A.2.3 Transport
• Railway radiocommunication systems between train and trackside (RSTT) – Resolution approved
on Railway radiocommunication systems to facilitate the deployment of railway train and trackside
systems to meet the needs of a high‐speed railway environment in particular for train radio
applications for improved railway traffic control, passenger safety and security for train operations.
• Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) – ITU Recommendation (standard) approved to integrate ICTs
in evolving Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to connect vehicles, improve traffic management
and assist in safer driving
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) – Expanded coverage and enhanced
capabilities for GMDSS.
• Earth stations in motion (ESIM) – The decision on ESIMs will connect people while in planes, ships,
and trains to communication links with geostationary satellites.
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A.3 Global Focus on Tera Hz

• About 10 years, a considerable amount of time to use spectrum
• Necessity and Demand, Global movements on THz

Time aspects Demand aspects

• Case study of 5G Spectrum • "THz" as one of the keywords of 6G
• About 10 years and more time until • KOR, USA, UK, CHN, JPN, etc.
commercialization • MNOs, Manufacturers (BS, UE, Chip,
measuring)
• Policy Tracker 6G webinar
• ITU‐R, 3GPP, IEEE, etc.

Necessity to start studies on THz towards 6G around 2028‐2030

Figure 17: Samsung Research

6G Taskforce Report:
6G Device
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1. Executive Summary
6G technology will have significant advancements in communication, sensing, imaging, presence
technologies and location awareness. The computational infrastructure of 6G will automatically select
the ideal place for computing, including artificial intelligence (AI) driven decisions regarding data
storage, processing, and sharing. Future networks will be pervasive component of life, society, and
industries, fulfilling the communication needs of humans as well as intelligent machines. 6G should
contribute to an efficient, human-friendly, sustainable society through ever-present intelligent
communication.

1. Four main drivers will emerge for the 2030 era

● Trustworthiness of the systems that will be at the heart of society,
● Sustainability through the efficiency of mobile technology,
● Accelerated automatization and digitalization to simplify and improve our lives, and
● Limitless connectivity meeting the demands for intensifying communication anywhere, anytime,
and for anything.

It is expected that 6G will provide the ultimate experience for all through hyper-connectivity involving
humans and everything. New themes are likely to emerge that will shape 6G system requirements and
technologies, such as:
● New man–machine interfaces created by a set of multiple local devices acting in unison; We will
have more intuitive interfaces, with access through gesturing rather than typing.
● Ubiquitous universal computing distributed among multiple local devices and the cloud;
● Multi-sensory data fusion to create multi-verse maps and new mixed-reality experiences;
● Precision sensing and actuation to control the physical world.
● A certain class of device is one that will be extremely low-power and potentially battery-less, relying
on the network to power the device.
● The end device will evolve in many scenarios to be a network of devices or a sub network. As
examples, we can imagine a machine-area network or a robot-area network involving connecting
multiple parts of a machine such as a controller and its drives
● With 6G targeting to enable ubiquitous mmWave coverage and going further to exploit even higher
spectrum (~THz), there comes an inherent need for compact network densification to build
coverage, and with this, a vital need to contain deployment costs. In such a context, 6G devices will
not only be communication end-points; 6G devices will be able to act as active network nodes in a
data path and, ultimately, form standalone networks.

● Future applications need to leverage high-performance connectivity, fulfilling required bandwidth,

dynamic behaviours, resilience, and further demands. Network capabilities need to be available
end-to-end and match the evolution of applications and internet technology. This affects, for
instance, application–network collaboration, resilience mechanisms, evolution of the end-to-end
transport protocols, and ways to deal with latency.

● Future services will require connectivity everywhere and in everything. 6G networks can support
trillions of embeddable devices, provide trustworthy connections that are available all the time.
● 6G connectivity can help India to leapfrog to become highly industrialized society. While the
technology adoption improves productivity, quality of life, for rural and urban citizen, achieving a
leadership in the development of technology will create immense job opportunities in the country

● 6G Connectivity can help India address many social issues like law and order, healthcare,
knowledge led job creation, improvements in living standards of the citizens in the urban and rural
areas, improvements in government and citizen interaction through smart cities, internet of things,
digitalization and G2C services, better governance of urban, rural, border areas, islands, forests and
animal kingdoms, vast ocean geography, sovereignty and security, cyber and physical integration
among many others.

● New industry verticals will emerge driven by 6G technologies, these may include Vehicle to Vehicle
(V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) Communication across road transport, trains, airlines, in
personal, community and public transport sectors, Holographic communications, tactile and haptic
internet applications, tele health including diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation activities. Extremely
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high-rate information access, connectivity for everything, convergence of networking and compute
among others.

Our Vision for developing 6G devices will be based on 6G standards, network and performance
expectations, use cases the devices are expected to deliver. We would start with Inside out approach
developing needed silicon level IPs, interfaces, chips and enable the leading applications using the
existing semiconductor and devices ecosystem. We may also own and steer couple of strategic and
mission critical components, chips, devices and applications to show case end to end capabilities as
part of the 6G test bed program.

Regarding R&D funding, there is limited R&D push towards indigenization of 5G-adv/6G device modem
chipset. Considering the current domestic scenario, significant R&D investments are essential to
achieve Atmanirbhar in the 5G-adv/6G device space with following key considerations.

● 6G R&D funding to have a 10-year horizon with the outcomes aligned with the IMT-2030 6G
standards. However, the intermediate deliverables should target compliance with 5G-advanced
specifications, viz. 3GPP Rel-17/18 and beyond.
● The funding should cover development of modem chipsets, end-to-end systems including
software/firmware, security elements and applications. Adequate funding should also be given to
emerging technologies such as AR/VR, next generation sensors, human-machine interfaces etc.
● The funding should be prioritized towards the development of
o SOCs: Modem, RF ICs (Sub 6, mmWave and higher frequencies)
o Multiple classes of SOCs to address low end and high end IoT applications
o AI processors
o End-to-End Devices including the applications

2. Societal View
● Let us imagine India in 2040. With Global population at 9.2 Billion people, India would be the most
populous country with 1.5 Billion people living in the subcontinent. Young India is aspiring to grow
it’s per capita income from current 1900$ to 5000$ in 2030 and 12000$ in 2040. India will be the
third largest economy in the world by GDP ranking having overtaken Japan.
● India would be the world’s largest democracy with 100% of its citizens having home, food, water,
sanitation, education, job and income sources, electricity, connectivity, television, mobile, and most
of the Govt to citizen services through digital platforms.
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● India is expected to increase its literacy rate from current 77.7%, closer to triple digits, add few
more years to current average life expectancy of 69.8 years, see leapfrogging increase in human
capital ranking, innovation ranking, standards of living and happiness index.
● India is expected to continue its position at the top, in terms of mobile subscriber base, increase
it’s internet penetration and broadband penetration closer to 100% by 5G Broadband and Fibre to
Home connectivity. 2G/3G would have been switched off, main connectivity is 5G and some 4G
connectivity to support the needs of the society. There would be telecom services, private networks,
community networks everywhere based on 5G/4G. All critical networks would be secure, protected
and indigenous.
● India would have achieved its smart cities mission with 100+ cities offering smart city services to
its citizens through digital platforms. All 600000 villages in India would have got internet
connectivity and people access to information, entertainment and services through mobile and
fixed broadband.
● 1.5B people interacting with Government and among each other through Digital platforms, availing
Government to Citizen (G2C) services, Tele-Health Services. 500M+ students using Tele-Education
platforms across India including primary, secondary, higher and advanced studies. All Hospitals
would be interconnected, all doctors and health professionals would be available on National
Health Network for consultation, diagnostics, and patient dialogue. Entertainment would be
available at the home, in vehicles, in public areas and on the move.
● Smart Agriculture will be everywhere, with use cases like drone usage for pesticide dispensing,
smart monitoring, smart storage systems, smart transportation systems and farm to plate
traceability.
● Security, Surveillance, Public Safety, Policing, litigation and justice systems, courts all moved to
digital platforms with real time access to previous case studies, evidence, real time tele-hearings.
Body cameras for policing, surveillance, evidence collection, traffic management will be prevalent
in urban areas. Road tolling will be satellite based, with V2V and V2I technologies deployed across
the personal and public transport systems. There will be instantaneous identification and
verification at Police stations, passport offices, courts, government offices, G2C service centres,
Hospitals, Airports, Bus/train stations to avoid procedural delays and physical paper-based
systems.
● Future technologies should help contribute further to the success of a number of UN SDG goals
including environmental sustainability, trust and inclusion, efficient delivery of health care,
reduction in poverty and inequality, improvements in public safety and privacy, support for ageing
populations, and managing expanding urbanization.
● 6G connectivity can help India to leapfrog to become highly industrialized society. While the
technology adoption improves productivity, quality of life, for rural and urban citizen, achieving a
leadership in the development of technology will create immense job opportunities in the country
● 6G Connectivity can help India address many social issues like law and order, healthcare,
knowledge led job creation, improvements in living standards of the citizens in the urban and rural
areas, improvements in government and citizen interaction through smart cities, internet of things,
digitalization and G2C services, better governance of urban, rural, border areas, islands, forests and
animal kingdoms, vast ocean geography, sovereignty and security, cyber and physical integration
among many others.
● New industry verticals will emerge driven by 6G technologies, these may include Vehicle to Vehicle
(V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) Communication across road transport, trains, airlines, in
personal, community and public transport sectors, Holographic communications, tactile and haptic
internet applications, tele health including diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation activities. Extremely
high-rate information access, connectivity for everything, convergence of networking and compute
among others.

3. Radio centric view

In the last few decades every new generation of cellular technology until 5G brought significant
improvements in data speeds (that spurred many new applications) but the operational frequency
range was limited to sub 6-Ghz frequencies where the radio propagation conditions are conducive to
cellular network deployments. 5G is the first radio access technology that extended the frequency of
operation beyond 6GHz (expanded the operation to milli-meter wave or mmWave). While defining 6G
vision and use cases, it is therefore important to clearly differentiate and outline the vision, network
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evolutions and the operational scenarios for sub 6Hz, mmWave and beyond mmWave frequency
ranges.

3.1 Sub 6GHz

For frequencies below 6GHz, where the signal propagation characteristics are conducive to small and
large cell deployments, 6G radio access technology is likely to evolve as an enhanced radio access
technology that leverages the key components and features of 5G while ensuring backward
compatibility.

3.2 Beyond mmWave

However, for extremely high frequency operation, especially T-Hz range where the data rates and
latencies are beyond the conventional cellular range (use cases are more like fiber replacement) 6G
requires a completely new radio definition that requires grounds up development. While commercial
use cases and deployment feasibility is not clear in this operational frequency range, the landscape will
be clear only after a few years. India should make the necessary R&D investments in order to be able
to compete with the rest of the world.

3.3 mmWave
For frequencies above 6GHz and below 52.6 GHz (the mmwave range), the ongoing network
deployments around the world indicate that achieving contiguous network coverage in this frequency
range remains significant challenge, and therefore, further R&D aimed at enhancements to mmwave
operation are being envisioned as part of the 5G -advanced standards. Therefore, development of
reliable mmwave networks will be an important consideration for 6G standards.

3.4 5G-Advanced vis-à-vis 6G

While 6G is an IMT-2030 technology (specifications to be available by 2030), 5G advanced (5G-A) that
includes rel-18 and beyond may play a significant role in fulfilling many 6G use cases and applications.
Therefore, 5G-A may be viewed as a pre-6G standard. In such a scenario, most 6G applications would
ride on 5G and 5G-adv radio technology with innovations mainly introduced in the development of new
types of devices, applications, network architectures rather than relying solely on improvements made
in physical and MAC layers (exception will be for the T-Hz use cases)

3.5 New Services

5G Supports eMBB (very high data rate, moderate latency), mMTC (low-to-medium data rate, moderate
to high latency, ultra-high connection density), URLLC (medium data rate, very low latency, very high
reliability), as three distinct services. 6G will provide many more new services that will include various
combination of the aforementioned three services that will cater to the new use cases envisaged for
6G.
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3.6 Beyond cellular uses cases

5G and 5G-advanced specifications cater to new uses and verticals that go well beyond the capabilities
offered in the previous generations: examples include Non-Terrestrial-Networks including Satellite
(GEO/LEO), HAPS (High Altitude Platforms). Combined with terrestrial services, 6G would offer
universal connectivity anytime, anywhere on the earth including land, sea and air. Therefore, 6G will
eliminate/minimize the rural-urban digital divide. This is feasible when the available spectrum in both
sub 6 and mmwave frequency range is leveraged to the full extent.
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4 6G Global view

The market for 6G technology is predicted to enable significant advancements in imaging, presence
technologies, and location awareness. The computational infrastructure of 6G will automatically select
the ideal place for computing, including decisions regarding data storage, processing, and sharing,
using artificial intelligence (AI).

Future networks will be a fundamental component for virtually all parts of life, society, and industries,
fulfilling the communication needs of humans as well as intelligent machines. To make the best out of
it, we – the industry and research community — should contribute together towards a common vision.
6G should contribute to an efficient, human-friendly, sustainable society through ever-present intelligent
communication.

Four main drivers will emerge for the 2030 era:

● Trustworthiness of the systems that will be at the heart of society,

● Sustainability through the efficiency of mobile technology,
● Accelerated automatization and digitalization to simplify and improve our lives, and
● Limitless connectivity meeting the demands for intensifying communication anywhere, anytime,
and for anything.

It is expected that 6G will provide the ultimate experience for all through hyper-connectivity involving
humans and everything. New themes are likely to emerge that will shape 6G system requirements and
technologies, such as:

● New man–machine interfaces created by a set of multiple local devices acting in unison; We will
have more intuitive interfaces, with access through gesturing rather than typing.
● Ubiquitous universal computing distributed among multiple local devices and the cloud;
● Multi-sensory data fusion to create multi-verse maps and new mixed-reality experiences;
● Precision sensing and actuation to control the physical world.
● A certain class of device is one that will be extremely low-power and potentially battery-less, relying
on the network to power the device.
● The end device will evolve in many scenarios to be a network of devices or a sub network. As
examples, we can imagine a machine-area network or a robot-area network involving connecting
multiple parts of a machine such as a controller and its drives
● With 6G targeting to enable ubiquitous mmWave coverage and going further to exploit even higher
spectrum (~THz), there comes an inherent need for compact network densification to build
coverage, and with this, a vital need to contain deployment costs. In such a context, 6G devices will
 120

not only be communication end-points; 6G devices will be able to act as active network nodes in a
data path and, ultimately, form standalone networks.

5 Enhanced end-to-end connectivity

Future applications need to leverage high-performance connectivity, fulfilling required bandwidth,
dynamic behaviours, resilience, and further demands. Network capabilities need to be available end-to-
end and match the evolution of applications and internet technology. This affects, for instance,
application–network collaboration, resilience mechanisms, evolution of the end-to-end transport
protocols, and ways to deal with latency.

6 Embedded devices everywhere

Future services will require connectivity everywhere and in everything. 6G networks can support trillions
of embeddable devices, provide trustworthy connections that are available all the time.

7 Global 6G activities in area of Device

6G Device universe is expected to be built on the user problems to be solved, fulfill user needs and
wants, bring in new inventions and innovations in experiences, applications and use cases. There are
several possible communication technology candidates which will be further evaluated, developed and
matured. The best candidate would eventually evolve into 6G Standards including network
requirements and key performance Indicators.

In terms of devices evolution, the ecosystem is expected to take two approaches

7.1 Inside out approach

IP Creation, Interfaces, Components, SOCs, Modules, UE devices, Equipment Subsystems,
Systems. This approach will be taken by mainly semiconductor players and component suppliers.

7.2 Outside in approach

Which basically focuses innovations at the software and system level and integration of various
subsystems to bring in efficiencies, lower cost and provide better user experiences. This approach is
expected to be taken by high-tech / consumer tech / Software / AI developers and system suppliers.

Both approaches are expected to meet and harmonize over the next few years of evolution towards 6G.
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8 Modem and Application Processor Evolution

It is expected that Modem and Application Processors will continue to remain separate in the 6G device
architecture. Individually Modem will continue to evolve from being a 5G Modem to a 5G Advanced
Modem and will work with the available frequency bands with 5G Advanced use cases. Application
processors will evolve based on the application and likely to include parallel processing, increased
performance of Neural processing units able to support Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
based software architectures, operating systems that will work across different device classes and
applications.

We expect to have discrete modems being preferred over those integrated along with main SOC.

In terms of device universe, the following devices are expected to be available in 6G era as well.

8.1 Communication Interfaces

This includes module or dongle for laptop, gaming devices or other devices needing ultra high speed
6G connectivity

8.2 Timing, Clock Chips

Very high-performance timing and clock chips are essential to ensure proper working of very low
latency, ultra-high speed communication systems, devices, applications.

8.3 RF Front end chips and modules

These include RF Transceivers, power amplifiers, GaN devices, antenna arrays, front end modules
needed for 6G devices.

8.4 IoT/Industrial IoT/Trackers

Location Tracking: Future 6G communications will be dependent on satellite technology to attain global
coverage. 6G will connect telecommunications, earth imaging, and navigation satellites in the future to
provide cellular users with location services, broadcast and Internet connection, and weather
forecasting data. The provision of high-speed Internet connectivity onboard fast trains and planes is
one example. Precision ranging techniques like UWB are likely to find even more relevance.

8.5 Universal IoT Chip

● The one which works both indoor as well outdoor, uniquely identifiable, includes all wireless
connectivity standards and interfaces, on software defined radio architecture.

8.6 Sensor Nodes & Energy Harvesting

● Combination of different sensors in on a silicon or in a module

● Energy harvesting devices which can power ultra low power sensor nodes.

8.7 Smartphone
● 6G will hopefully fulfill and surpass a variety of standards, including delivering high-energy
performance, particularly in the context of extensive IoT use and an eco-system of innumerable
minute sensors. Additionally, it is required to lengthen the battery life of smartphones, based
on the notion that their skills and capacities to cope with sophisticated multimedia signal
processing grow exponentially as their power consumption increases. Low energy
consumption and a longer battery charge life are two research topics in 6G that attempt to
overcome the majority of communication equipment's daily recharging issues while still
meeting communication goals.

8.8 Cellular Cameras, Body Cameras, Dash Cameras

There are two possible evolution paths viz.
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● Cellular connectivity driven device architecture, which assumes that a broadband connectivity
of 1Gbps+ would be available, which reduces need for processing power and storage in the
device and
● Application Centric where the storage & processing power at the edge, decision with analytics
at the edge will decide how to communicate the video clips or streams back to the storage in
the cloud or at the base station or in the device.

Scalable processor cores will support different device classes based on compute, storage and
acceleration needed by the application/use case.

Source: ARM

8.9 Wearable and Body embedded Devices

Wearables are expected to evolve from current smart watches, smart glasses and ear buds to include
the personal global navigation devices, help humans to interact with different types of experiences,
utilities and services like smart home, workplace, factory, retail, healthcare, travel, business among
others.

Another category of products would be body embedded devices, for animals, plants, patients with
specific ailments and need critical monitoring etc. these devices need body safe materials, power
sources, fail safe mechanisms.

8.10 Connectivity devices

● Indoor CPE

● Outdoor CPE

● Mobility CPE-Train, metro

8.11 NTN devices- Aircraft, ships, drones

6G research is currently focusing on the development of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) to promote
ubiquitous and high-capacity global connectivity. The potential of NTNs has been acknowledged in the
standard activities. A work item for 3GPP Rel- 17 has indeed been approved in December 2019 to define
and evaluate solutions in the field of NTNs for NR. Study items have also been identified for Rel-18 and
Rel-19, thus acknowledging long-term research within the timeframe of 6G.

Existing handheld satellite communication terminals are generally bulky, unattractive and costly when
compared to terrestrial cellular devices. The combination of a common TN/NTN air interface and TN
frequency band re-use can virtually suppress any device incremental complexity at any level (RF front
end, RF transceiver, baseband, form factor, etc.). NTN/TN technology alignment can then be combined
with a single subscription covering both TN/NTN, and turn NTN into a mass-market mainstream feature
of the existing vast, dynamic and highly innovative smartphone ecosystem. Crucially, 6G TN/NTN
device capability can become one additional feature widely available by default to all consumers, with
the same form factor and cost structure as before this feature is introduced. 6G TN/NTN capable
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devices can also be delivered through already well-established OEM manufacturing and existing retail
channels. Further to this, the combination of NTN technology with 6G device mesh/relay capability can
be used to provide deeper indoor coverage in remote areas.

8.12 Sensors- Diagnostics, Robots, cameras, actuators, Digital/bio sensing and

e-health
With the rising frequency of COVID-19 infections, biosensors that are precise, accurate, sensitive, easy-
to-use, and specific to detect and monitor infectious illnesses are in high demand. These biosensors
can be incorporated into cell phones with the introduction of 6G to provide early warning and control of
pandemics .6G networks might be capable of a lot more with the integration of quality control, machine
learning, and biotechnology. Detecting viral illnesses effectively by examining the body temperature of
affected individuals. Optical biosensors may also be used to monitor the pathological function of bio
recognition molecules including antibodies, enzymes, entire cells, and DNA zymes in order to better
identify a variety of disorders. 6G can also be useful in other fields of electronic health (e-health), such
as controlling ambient conditions (temperature, proportion of gases, and light condition). Autonomous
robots can be employed in a variety of health activities, including emergency treatment, medical exams,
cleaning polluted floors, and drug delivery in remote locations.

9 Agriculture
According to estimates, present agricultural productivity would need to grow by 60–70% by 2050 to
meet the demands of the entire population; to do this, widespread deployment of high-precision
wireless technologies will be critical. Autonomous cars, augmented reality for training, sensors for
detecting factors on the farm, and data are some examples of application cases. An automated
irrigation control is another use of precision agriculture. Precision agriculture, also known as smart
farming, will make this possible by using wireless sensor networks to track agricultural factors and
make intelligent decisions. (I) data collection, (ii) diagnosis, (iii) data analysis, and (iv) precision field
operation and assessment are the steps of precision agriculture identified in. This opens up the
possibility of carrying out agriculture activities. It has been proposed that AI be infused into precision
energy in 6G to increase agricultural efficiency.

10 Metaverse Devices- AR/VR/XR

THz communication in submillimeter bands can be supported by 6G networks with exceptionally low
latency. 6G supports virtualized service sets, which ease holographic communications across physical
boundaries and improve management. This enables autonomous, real-time experienced reality (XR) for
3D pictures. 6G communication will be designed to offer dense network connectivity, large coverage,
low-power nodes, and effective AI capabilities for mIoT. 6G can accommodate up to 106 parallel sensor
connections per square kilometre of range. 6G will enable computational intelligence to improve AR/VR
perception models with extraordinary reliability and range. 6G is expected to support smart city verticals
such as vehicular-to-anything networks, internet-of-bio-sensory-things, supermassive edge computing,
AR/VR use-cases (for example, remote surgery, holographic mind-mapping, immersive gaming
experience, haptic communication via sub-millisecond (1 ms TI service), optical radio access cores
with photonic communication for super-dense visible light communication.
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Example: Metaverse experience at MWC 2022

11 Hologram
Hologram is a next-generation media technology that can present gestures and facial expressions by
means of a holographic display. In order to provide hologram display as a part of real-time services,
extremely high data rate transmission, hundreds of times greater than current 5G system, will be
essential.

Japan recently introduced 7-eleven stores with touch free holographic self-checkouts. The holographic
interface, called the Digi POS (Point of Sale), projects an image of a touch screen floating in air when a
shopper directly faces the self-checkout register and scans the items they want to purchase.

The Digi POS was developed by six different companies, including 7-Eleven Japan, Toshiba Tec,
Asukanet, Kanda Kogyo Development, Mitsui Chemicals Development and Mitsui Bussan Plastic.
 125

12 Energy Efficiency or Zero Energy Devices

Although the battery life of NB-IoT/LTE-M devices can be up to ten years in some cases, battery
replacement or charging limits the applicability of these devices.

Fast forward ten years into the future and imagine similar use cases but without the hassle of replacing
or charging the battery. Enter the era of zero-energy devices, devices that from the end-user perspective
operate without a battery. Instead, the energy necessary for communication is harvested from the
surroundings – from vibrations, from light, from temperature gradients, or even from the radio-
frequency waves themselves.

Packages in a warehouse can be tracked by using low-cost, zero-energy devices, potentially printed
directly on the boxes –this could work even if the box is behind other boxes, avoiding the use of optical
bar codes. The box may even provide information on, for example, temperature or humidity in the box,
something which is not possible with a passive bar code. Monitoring the environment is another
scenario where miniaturized, low-cost, zero-energy devices can play a role.

Source: Ericsson: Example of Zero Energy Device for environment monitoring

In the future, ubiquitous zero-energy devices will help us monitor pollution, weather or even disease
prevalence. Zero-energy devices could also transform the retail industry. Imagine you’re in a
department store shopping for a shirt. As soon as you pick one up from a shelf, the zero-energy device
embedded in the shirt’s tag tells the store network that you’re interested in that particular shirt style or
model. With that information, the TV screens in your vicinity could offer you additional options for
similar shirts and accessories. All this without the user having to bother charging or replacing batteries
in the thousands or even millions of zero-energy devices around!

As a result, 6G will need to develop a comprehensive strategy for energy-efficient wireless

communication. A fundamental aim of 6G communication is to run without the need of batteries
whenever and wherever feasible, with a target efficiency of 1 pico-joule per bit. Aside from the
advantages of high-power THz waves, 6G communication also allows for directed beam
communication through MIMO antenna arrays, which allows devices to transmit power beams in a
specified direction. This technology has the capability of providing adequate energy to networked
devices. One example is:- Packages in a warehouse can be tracked by using low-cost, zero-energy
devices, potentially printed directly on the boxes –this could work even if the box is behind other boxes,
avoiding the use of optical bar codes.

13 New 6G Man-Machine Interfaces

While the smartphone and the tablet will still be around in 2030, we are likely to see new man-machine
interfaces that will make it substantially more convenient for us to consume and control information.
We expect that:
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● We will have multiple wearables that we carry with us, and they will work seamlessly with each
other, providing natural, intuitive interfaces. Not only, wearable devices, such as earbuds and
devices embedded in our clothing, will become common, but also skin patches and bio-implants
will become prevalent. We might even become reliant on new brain sensors to operate machines.
The figure below shows the potential evolution of devices.

● Touchscreen typing will likely become outdated. Gesturing and talking to whatever devices we use
to get things done will become the norm.
● The devices we use will be fully context-aware, and the network will become increasingly
sophisticated at predicting our needs. This context awareness combined with new human-machine
interfaces will make our interaction with the physical and digital world much more intuitive and
efficient.

The computing needed for these devices will likely not all reside in the devices themselves because of
form factor and battery power considerations. Rather, they may have to rely on locally available
computing resources to complete tasks, beyond the edge cloud. Networks will thus play a significant
role in the man-machine interface of tomorrow.

14 Other Advanced 6G Devices

● Integrated spectroscopy- health, agriculture, forensics, meteorology
● Observability, Learning, edge & fog compute
● Remote sensing, Local sensing through terrestrial network
● Split computing-multiparty computing
● Security- Device and applications
● Human-Machine Interface

15 Terahertz and Si-Photonics

Conventionally, terahertz circuits, including those in the 300 GHz band, have been realized using
compound semiconductors and BiCMOS circuits. However, it is not only the transistors that determine
the performance of communication. Terahertz communication is expected to blossom in the very near
future. The development of optoelectronic terahertz devices will greatly influence the pace to bridge
the technology and application gap of terahertz communications. The transmitting power, energy
consumption, and chip size are among the key aspects to attract effort in development for the near
future.

Photonics integration technology is progressing rapidly, which could push optoelectronic terahertz
communication toward the terabit-on-chip target. Photonics integration is a feasible approach to
improve transmitting power and reduce energy consumption. The progress of Si photonics integration
technology paves a new way for development of optoelectronic terahertz communications. The Si
photonics integration technology also makes its integration with Si electronics and low-loss
waveguides easier, which is expected to further improve the system efficiency.
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16 Security
5G has following security enhancements compared to previous generation technology

17 Zero Trust
3G employed mutual authentication between devices and base station, same level of distrust continued
in 4G. 5G has implemented the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), a gatekeeper that prevents any
traffic that isn’t authorized and verified from entering the network carrier’s network. For implementing
the separation of duties, components from previous cellular standards have been broken up with
gateways in between them to ensure that the data received is valid. To help facilitate this is an updated
cryptographic key hierarchy. Effectively, these sub-components now have specific encryption keys
between them. In the event that one sub-key is compromised, the rest of the 5G environment remains
protected.

18 Data Transmission Security

The encryption and integrity controls have slowly been increasing over the generations of
technologies. The second-generation (2G) added encryption between a user device and base station
but left the rest of the network lacking. The 3rd and 4th generations effectively added another hop of
encryption to their standards.

The situation was made worse by the fact that critical vulnerabilities due to lack of cryptographic and
integrity controls were found in the signalling protocols leveraged by those cellular generations.
Signalling protocols are what’s leveraged to manage telephone calls, route text messages, and perform
roaming. The abuse of these protocols allow adversaries to intercept and listen in to phone calls,
perform fraudulent cellular activity, track users, and more.

With 5G, the standard has finally reached a point where all signalling traffic is encrypted and integrity
protected. And user traffic is encrypted with optional integrity protection. The SEPP ensures that traffic
sent from one network operator to another is encrypted.

19 Privacy
The previously discussed enhanced authentication, encryption, and integrity controls help to address
privacy concerns. But 5G also directly addresses privacy concerns discovered with the 4G/LTE
standard.

In order for a device to leverage the cellular network, it has to perform an attaching procedure. In
4G/LTE, the device will continuously beacon out an identifier that the cellular network uses to identify
and authorize the user. This value is called the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). During
the attachment procedure, the device and base station authenticate each other and agree on security
controls they will use to communicate.

Because the IMSI is beaconed out before security controls are agreed upon, the attribute is transmitted
in plaintext, allowing users to be tracked and, in some cases, even for adversaries to perform fraudulent
cellular activity on a victim’s behalf. Vulnerabilities related to the IMSI have been discussed in many
security conferences around the world

5G addresses the weaknesses of the plaintext IMSI by taking the 5G equivalent, now called the
Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), and encrypting it with that device’s home carrier’s public key.
The encrypted SUPI is called a Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI). The SUCI is then leveraged to
initiate the attachment procedure.

20 Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking — 5G Deployment

Dangers
Because 5G is implemented in the cloud, all components are virtualized. As such, 5G networks can be
constructed like Lego pieces, hot-swapping components as needed. Instead of having a flat network
where all internal components can talk to each other, 5G can ensure that the only areas of a network
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that should be able to communicate can. Also, in the case where vulnerabilities are found, machines
can be updated or mitigations can be put in place instantly to address the concerns. The cloud also
enables resiliency not found in previous generations of cellular technologies. Cellular components can
scale to address communication surges.

On top of the overall virtualization that’s achieved by being in the cloud, internal networks are similarly
virtualized with network slicing. Network slicing enables mobile network operators to ensure that each
type of data flowing through the mobile network is treated in the way that best suits it. For example,
payment card data flowing over the cellular network can be configured with more secure encryption
and integrity algorithms. In cases where availability is more important than security, network slicing
can ensure that fast response times are enforced.

21 5G Security Risks and Concerns

As 5G becomes more ubiquitous across the globe, the security community is taking the opportunity to
review and understand the potential security risks associated with implementing the standard. These
security risks fall into the following categories viz. Inherited flaws and Out-of-specification issues

22 Inherited Flaws
22.1 Legacy Protocols
The legacy protocols that possess the most vulnerabilities are the aforementioned signaling protocols.
A brief summary of what each protocol does and its vulnerabilities are summarized below:

SS7: Used in 2G/3G to exchange information needed to transmit voice and text messages between
parties. This protocol lacks authentication and integrity controls resulting in any party being able to
establish man-in-the-middle connections, allowing communications to be intercepted. Abusing this
protocol also allows an attacker to perform telephone spam, spoof numbers, and track a user’s
location.

Diameter: With the transition from 3G to 4G/LTE, the Diameter protocol was brought in to replace SS7.
Diameter provides authentication, authorization, and even encryption. Weaknesses were discovered in
this protocol that allow adversaries to send spoofed messages that can leak information about a
cellular user such as their location.

GTP: Recently, Positive Technologies released research into another vulnerable protocol leveraged in
4G/LTE and 5G: GTP. GTP is used to transmit user traffic on all generations of mobile technologies
from 2G to 5G. Abusing this protocol can result in a bad actor being able to impersonate a user, perform
fraudulent cellular activity, and achieve denial of service. Unlike the other two protocols, GTP is defined
for use in 5G standalone architectures.

22.2 Downgrade Attacks

Because of how fast technology moves forward, it can be difficult even for tech enthusiasts to keep up-
to-date, let alone non-technical people. To ensure that everyone has sufficient time to upgrade, new
standards are typically made to support older ones as well. However, in allowing support for older
generations, there’s the potential that downgrade attacks can be performed.

Downgrade attacks trick users into leveraging the insecure and out-of-date versions of a protocol.
These types of attacks can be found everywhere. For instance, the Transport Layer Security (TLS)
protocol that a browser leverages to securely surf the internet. Even the latest TLS version published in
2018 has been found to be vulnerable to downgrade attacks [15]. But, there’s an easy fix. A web browser
can be configured to limit access to websites that leverage the latest, most secure protocols, disabling
anything deemed insecure. With those protocols disabled, if someone attempts a downgrade attack
against it, the browser will simply refuse.

Cellular devices don’t have the same flexibility that web browsers do. When a mobile device connects
to a cellular network, the user has no control over the process. There’s no setting in an iPhone or a Pixel
that can be configured to prevent a phone from connecting to out of date and insecure cellular networks
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(like 2G). The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is actively lobbying tech giants, namely Apple,
Samsung, and Google, to allow users the ability to disable insecure cellular standards within their
devices [16]. Until these changes are implemented, adversaries have the potential to side-step all the
security controls implemented by 5G by performing downgrade attacks.

22.3 Out-of-specification Issues

3GPP has defined very explicit details on the 5G standard in their releases, but there’s a number of
areas of 5G that they deem out-of-scope. It’s these areas that companies and network operators have
to figure out on their own and therefore where there is the highest probability of something going wrong.
This includes security problems with the cloud, web application vulnerabilities, and privacy concerns.

22.4 Complications Managing User Privacy

Mobile network operators will need to work with cloud providers and third-party developers to define
who has what responsibilities in terms of user privacy, and how each player will be held responsible.
One might suspect that current privacy regulations help provide assurance here. But 5G networks do
not stop at a country’s border since radio waves have no comprehension of political jurisdictions. So it
is entirely possible for overlapping laws to conflict. The situation becomes even more convoluted when
an incident occurs because it’s not possible to predict which law(s) will take precedence when a victim,
an attacker, and the service provider are from different locations.

And all of this is assuming that a nation-state has implemented 5G with industry best practices. To
ensure confidentiality and integrity of over-the-air communication, 5G leverages the New Radio
Encryption Algorithm (NEA) and New Radio Integrity Algorithm (NIA), respectively. Both algorithms
support the highly secure Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). However, in both cases, these
algorithms also support weaker algorithms (like SNOW 3G [18]) and can be disabled entirely so no
protections are in place.

As 5G becomes ubiquitous, Indian lawmakers will need to devise adequate policies to address security
concerns to ensure there are no gaps in protecting end-user data. When one looks at a secure,
embedded system built using a chip , includes layers of protection starting with the logic level.

As 5G becomes ubiquitous, Indian lawmakers

will need to devise adequate policies to address
security concerns to ensure there are no gaps in
protecting end-user data.

When one looks at a secure, embedded system

built using a chip , includes layers of protection
starting with the logic level.

At a device level we should focus on logic level security that monitors specific operations at the logic
transition level. The logic level is integral to the silicon so that it cannot be hacked or removed. In older
generation systems, the NW element is considered to be trusted and device could be / can go rouge.
In the next generation systems eve device should have an ability to authenticate and then only initiate
data sharing process. As devices become powerful and capable to collect, process and stream large
amount of data, this ability to ensure that the recipient is a trusted one is a much needed ability in the
device silicon. A dedicated analytics engine for on-chip analysis uses real-time data from the hardware
monitors. This engine has to be separate and cannot be impacted by the functional software stack. As
data need to move off the chip, access to the chip has to be secure. This requires silicon based root of
trust including a level of authentication before another system can connect. Once the device/chip is
accessed, as data is sensitive, secure software and data encryption is necessary.
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23 Domestic Capabilities
Indigenous development of 5G UE chipset is a nascent stage. Capabilities listed by MEITY as part of
the semicon India deliberations have been listed here:

● India Semiconductor Mission has announced an MoU between Cyient, WiSig Networks and IIT
Hyderabad to enable mass production of "5G Narrowband-IoT- the Koala Chip, Architected and
Designed in India".

● MoU between Signal chip Innovations, MeitY and Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing (C-DAC) for not only design and manufacture but also deployment and maintenance
of 10 Lakh Integrated NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) and GPS Receivers. Signalchip,
an Indian Fabless semiconductor company has developed “Agumbe” series of baseband, modem
and radio frequency (RF) chipsets for 5G/4G networks with integrated support for global
navigation satellite systems including NavIC.

● Partnership was announced with Synopsys, Cadence Design Systems, Siemens EDA and Silvaco
for making available their Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools & design solutions for Chips
to Startup (C2S) Programme being implemented by CDAC, a scientific society under Ministry of
Electronics and IT, Govt. of India at 100+ Institutions for 5 years.
● An MoU was announced between Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) USA and IIT
Bombay to focus on bringing together SRC's industry experts and India's R&D talent to create a
compelling industry driven world-class R&D program.

● MoU between Global Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE India) and Centre for
Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) was announced for skill and technical standards
development in semiconductor electronics focusing on VLSI design and Electromagnetic
interference (EMI)/ Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

● MeitY announced an MoU between Atal Community Innovation Center Kalasalingam Innovation
Foundation (ACIC-KIF) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for
collaborative R&D, Product development and Trainings in the areas of semiconductor
technologies, Power electronics, Energy harvesting, Electric vehicles etc.

● DIR-V has announced Five MoUs for the use of indigenously developed RISC-V Processors -
SHAKTI and VEGA.

● MoU between SONY India and DIR-V SHAKTI Processor (IIT Madras) for the Systems/Products
developed by SONY.

● MoU between ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), Thiruvananthapuram and DIR-V SHAKTI
Processor (IIT Madras) for development of high performance SoCs (System on Chip) and for
Fault Tolerant Computer Systems.

● MoU between Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Department of Atomic Energy
and DIR-V SHAKTI Processor (IIT Madras) for the Systems/Products developed by IGCAR.

● MoU between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and DIR-V VEGA Processor (C-DAC) for Rudra
Server board, Cyber security, and Language Solutions.
● MoU between Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and DIR-V VEGA Processor (C-DAC)
for the 4G/5G, Broadband, IOT/ M2M solutions
● Additionally, an intent of MoU was announced between IISc Bangalore and SEMI, USA for building
core competence of quantum technologies - multi-qubit superconducting quantum processors,
photonic processors, diamond-based magnetometers, lab-level quantum-secured communication
network etc.

● SEMI, USA and IESA also announced an MoU for exploring the potential for growth of Electronics
and Semiconductor industry in India and thereby bring global major players in semiconductor to
leverage the opportunities for catalysing the semiconductor ecosystem in India.
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24 6G Devices R&D Funding

There is limited R&D push towards indigenization of 5G-adv/6G device modem chipset. Considering the
current domestic scenario, significant R&D investments are essential to achieve Atmanirbhar in the 5G-
adv/6G device space. The key considerations for the R&D funding agencies are:

● 6G R&D funding should have a 10-year horizon with the outcomes aligned with the IMT-2030 6G
standards. However, the intermediate deliverables should target compliance with 5G-advanced
specifications, viz. 3GPP Rel-17/18 and beyond.
● The funding should cover development of modem chipsets, end-to-end systems including
software/firmware, security elements and applications. Adequate funding should also be given to
emerging technologies such as AR/VR, next generation sensors, human-machine interfaces etc.
● The funding should be prioritized towards the development of
o SOCs: Modem, RF ICs (Sub 6, mmWave and higher frequencies)
o Multiple classes of SOCs to address low end and high end IoT applications
o AI processors
o End-to-End Devices including the applications

25 Academia and Industry Cooperation

o Fundamental R&D and blue sky research should be encouraged.
o Projects are carried out through academia where industry is encouraged to participate in
the co-development mode at an early stage. Industry contributions can come in the form
of expert resources, access to labs and test instruments, outcome linked financial aid,
subsystem components etc.
o Some projects may provide seed funding to the academia, and upon delivery of successful
initial prototypes, industry/start-ups may take the outcomes forward with additional
investment by the industry/VC.
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6G Taskforce Report:
International Standards Contribution
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Executive Summary
The Sixth Generation (6G) technologies are likely to become viable and impactful over the next ten years
and will support ubiquitous instant communications, pervasive intelligence, immersive experiences, and
the Internet of Things & Senses. The 6G is expected to play a key role in the evolution of the society towards
the 2030’s and shall also play a role in supporting the global sustainability goals, including India’s objective
to contribute towards climate emergencies.

In this context, developing a strong technology that meet Indian interests and values, as well as economic
and global societal goals, is key. Secure and trustworthy India-based 6G infrastructures will help on the one
hand to ensure the sovereignty of India in terms of critical technologies and systems, and on the other hand
to make sure that our primary values such as privacy, trust, transparency, accountability, security, and
societal interests are considered.

The Sixth Generation (6G) wireless communication network is also expected to integrate the terrestrial,
aerial, and maritime communications into a robust network which would be more reliable, faster, and can
support a massive number of devices with ultra-low latency requirements. The researchers around the
globe are proposing cutting edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML),
Quantum communication/quantum Machine Learning (QML), Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) like
blockchain, Immersive XR, Tera-Hertz communication, etc., as the key technologies in the realization of
beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G communications.

With the contribution in development of global 5G standards in 3GPP, ITU etc., India as a nation has gained
good amount of experience. Over the years, Indian companies have also developed core competencies in
certain areas. During this period, there is also a greater understanding of the Standards Development
Lifecycle especially that followed within 3GPP including aspects related to its workflow and working
procedures. By leveraging this experience, India can contribute to the development of 6G standards in
various international bodies such as 3GPP, ITU, IEC, IEEE, one M2M, etc. and can make its mark in global
standardization space and ensure good number of key innovations are from India.

To assess the ability of Indian entities to participate in 6G standards development, inputs were collected
from a select set of Indian entities. Accordingly, a set of questions were asked to these representative
companies to assess the capability of these Indian Comm Tech Companies on Product, R&D and 6G
Standards contribution. This forms a good basis for promoting R&D in specific areas of competencies
available within India, prioritizing software-ization of networks especially leveraging India’s strength in
AI/ML.

We had also compiled a list of global initiatives on 6G, their focus areas, how they are structured for the
purpose of our learning. NextG Alliance in USA and Europe’s 6G-IA are those among the many globally, we
had the benefit of interacting with.

An Indian initiative led by industry and with support from government will be essential for balancing the
efforts of these other regions and ensure our 6G leadership. Government, industry, and academia will need
to cooperate more closely in identifying research priorities. This should begin with a concerted effort by
industry, academia, and government to develop a research agenda for 6G leadership in areas of shared
interest. As a first step in the process, the government should facilitate a stakeholder’s session jointly with
industry and academic members to engage in a dialogue identifying mutual 6G research priorities.

This task force proposes the following:

• A 6G program be created with a broad category of ecosystem partners including operators, vendors,
hyper scalers, academia, and Government research labs, that is agile and quickly adaptable to the
evolving needs for driving 6G research and innovations, building on and strengthening India’s
competencies (e.g., Next Gen Alliance was setup outside the ATIS, with its own working procedures).
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• This set of stake holders through a consensus driven approach recommend topics/themes of interest
in 6G based on business and societal needs. The program should cover all aspects of technology
development including early research on ideas, proof-of-concept, standardization, trials & testbeds, etc.
• Government of India taking a lead in streamlining the process and fund research programs on the
themes identified.
• The 6G program to take a lead in preparing well defined measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
to assess the success of these program funding.
• The objective of this framework is also to have cohesive policies to meet common goal of national
leaderships, national 6G Roadmap, Sustainability goals, etc.
• It is important that this initiative gains momentum immediately and aligns to the timeline of various 6G
standards efforts across the globe.
• The 6G program should take a lead in developing consensus on solutions of interest and pursue the
standardization efforts at the corresponding international standardization bodies.
• Concurrently, the program should facilitate early trials and prototype development, aimed at developing
proof-of-concepts and support the domestic manufacturing process.

~~~~~
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1. Background
In the quest for higher data rates and lower latencies to end users, work has already begun globally at a
fast pace to identify and develop new 6G wireless communication technologies. 6G technologies are likely
to become viable and impactful over the next ten years and will support ubiquitous instant communications,
pervasive intelligence, immersive experiences, and the Internet of Things & Senses.
6G is expected to play a key role in the evolution of the society towards the 2030’s, as the convergence
between the digital, physical, and personal domains, will increasingly become a reality. It shall also play a
role in supporting the global sustainability goals, including India’s objective to contribute towards climate
emergencies. Some organizations are already considering defining 6G targets to include improving energy
efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing the use of recyclable materials. This will greatly
contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
One of the biggest promises of the next decade is that immersive communication, holographic
telepresence, and AR/VR will become our default means of communication. With 6G, we should expect to
approach a fully connected world, where the physical world is represented in high detail in the digital
domain, where it can be analysed and acted upon. The network would provide the links between the
domains by devices embedded everywhere, as well as provide the infrastructure and the intelligence of the
digital domain. Just like 5G helped the industry 4.0 attempts to make digital twin of machines, 6G will
enable humans to be placed in the middle of this cyber-physical continuum and remain fully interconnected.
6G will therefore become the basis of societies of the future. To this end, it must continue to address the
pressing societal needs and deliver new functionalities at the same time. Privacy by design, trustworthiness
by design, and societal fairness, shall be the foundations of the 6G infrastructure.
Digital technologies are more and more considered as critical and essential means for ensuring as one of
the foundations of countries’ sovereignty. Developing strong technology offers an alternatives, that meet
Indian interests and values, as well as economic and global societal goals, is the key. Secure and
trustworthy India-based 6G infrastructures will help on the one hand to ensure the sovereignty of India in
terms of critical technologies and systems, and on the other hand to make sure that our primary values
such as privacy, trust, transparency, accountability, security, and societal interests are considered. At the
same time, it is important that we continue to interact with other areas of the world, promoting the adoption
of its values, from the perspective of both the society and the environment, and for guaranteeing a level
playing field, in which all human beings can hope for a better future.
Global standards and renewed regulations shall play a key role in the development and deployment of 6G
and subsequently of services developed using 6G technologies in India and beyond, in many vertical
sectors. It is one of the keys to ensure a sustainable and affordable 6G network available everywhere, to
everyone. The International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems for 2030 and beyond will be
developed as a global standard to better serve communication needs in every continent of the world.
Standards will be required in key technologies required for 6G, i.e., system network architecture and control,
edge and ubiquitous computing, radio technology and signal processing, optical networks, network and
service security, non-terrestrial networks communication, and device and components.
For a developing economy like India with a large population and significant opportunities, the challenge lies
in identifying 6G technologies that are likely to make a major impact in addressing the needs of the growing
economy in an affordable manner.
In view of the above and considering India’s endeavour to take lead in 6G space, Technology Innovation
Group (TIG) on 6G was constituted in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Six task forces have
been constituted on various subjects to assist TIG. This Task Force on International Standards Contribution
was constituted for:
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• Mapping global 6G activities and capability definition

• Contribution for WP-5D on research views on IMT for 2030 and beyond
• Pre standardization activities on 6G and streamlining the processes to be inclusive of all stakeholders
• Inputs to standardization activities on 6G in TSDSI
• White paper on India’s competency and potential pre standardization activities
• White paper on India mission 6G program, vision, mission, objective, and structure.

The task force currently focused on the following areas:

• White paper on India mission 6G program, vision, mission, objective, and structure
• Mapping global 6G programs and activities to recommend similar framework
• Stimulate competency and innovations from India through pre standardization activities
• Recommendations on contributing for WP-5D on research views on IMT for 2030 and beyond
• Formulate inclusive engagement framework for the 6G research areas to create synergy between with
industry and academia
• Mobilize increased participation and contributions in various global standardization bodies from
national entities/organizations like TSDSI, TEC, BIS
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2. A Program for Technology Development and Contribution to Global

Standards
The fusion of digital and real worlds across all dimensions will be the driving theme for 6G Networks. A
hyper-scale of things will operate at the system level but not in isolated environments such as private
networks. This will demand coordination of distributed intelligence all over the entire network connectivity
fabric. It will be necessary to deliver information in fractional units of time between machines, robots, and
their virtual counter parts to support autonomous operations safely.
The Sixth Generation (6G) wireless communication network is expected to integrate the terrestrial, aerial,
and maritime communications into a robust network which would be more reliable, fast, and can support
a massive number of devices with ultra-low latency requirements. Researchers around the globe are
proposing cutting edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), Quantum
communication/Quantum Machine Learning (QML), Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) like blockchain,
Immersive XR, Full-Duplex, Tera-Hertz communication, etc., as the key technologies in the realization of
beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G communications.
Standards-developing organizations, public-private partnerships, and industry alliances understand the
significance of planning ahead with the 6G capabilities and identify opportunities for themselves: they build
strategies to innovate and lead new markets; perhaps they use new technologies with 6G for increasing
productivity and operations in their business.
With the contribution in the development of global 5G standards in 3GPP,, ITU etc., India as a nation has
gained good amount of experience. Over the years Indian companies have also developed core
competencies in certain areas. By leveraging the experience and the competencies developed in certain
areas, India can contribute to the development of 6G standards in various international bodies such as
3GPP, ITU, IEC, IEEE, one M2M etc. and can make its mark in global standardization space and ensure
good number of key innovations are from India.

2.1 The Standards Development Cycle

From the first analog systems to 2G, 3G, 4G and today 5G and beyond, the collaborations of Industry
members with telecom operators, regulators and academia have played a crucial role in the developing
standards that meet the needs of consumers, different industries, and society. By fulfilling their needs, the
tools for a connected, safer, and more environmentally friendly society are provided, enabling an enriched
life for consumers and increased efficiency for all industries.
Standardization is a framework of agreements for all relevant parties in an industry to ensure the creation
of well-performing systems, products, and services in accordance with set guidelines. The objective is to
maximize compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, and quality. Development of a new technical
standard within a standardization organization is based on the consensus of different parties, including
vendors, operators, end users, interest groups and governments.
Various technology components are involved in the development of technology for devices, networks and
interfaces, whose interworking are defined in technical specifications that get defined and developed within
multiple standardization bodies, consortiums, industry groups, etc. For e.g., the IETF, ETSI Industry
Specification Group on Network Functions Virtualization (ISG NFG), Web3D Consortiums for representing
3D objects over web, VRIF (Virtual Reality Industry Forum), e-CPRI, Open API specifications, 3GPP for the
radio and core interfaces, etc. In this report, we focus on 3GPP, a reputed and well-attended engineering
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organization that develops technical specifications which form the basis of cellular systems1. Due to the
complexity of both the cellular system and the fact that 3GPP is a collaborative effort amongst hundreds
of different entities with potentially diverse interests/incentives, understanding how work gets done and
decisions are made inside 3GPP can sometimes be a mystery. One way to demystify the 3GPP process is
to compare it to how any system-engineering effort works in any engineering company across the world.
And utilizing this simple analogy helps to breakthrough some of the 3GPP complexity and confusing
acronyms.
Let’s say that instead of developing new technology specifications for cellular networks, we are instead a
company that desires to build a new jet airplane, as depicted below in Figure 1.

Figure 1: High-level system-engineering steps for building a plane (source: Qualcomm).

Step 1: We would be likely to begin the process by conducting some early R&D to specify requirements,
assess constraints, and gather other useful data for the project before bringing the proposal to
management. These initial efforts can be instrumental in setting the project in the right direction, or even
allowing it to see the light of day. We would be then likely to enter a project proposal phase where we
present the project to management for approval. This may require multiple iterations, where management
requires us to go back and collect further data before being approved to proceed.
Steps 2 and 3: If approved, a jet plane would obviously need to be broken down into different sub-systems
to allow different, specialized groups within (or outside) our company to work on it, for example, the jet
engine or the cabin/seat design. Within each of those specialized areas, engineers would likely begin by
conducting feasibility studies to test various potential solutions before proceeding with development.
Step 4: Once an agreed-upon solution was selected, development work would then proceed. Within a
company-driven effort, it is likely someone or some group would be responsible for overseeing the overall
project to ensure the different sub-systems come together as planned on time and within budget.
Although the nuances may change from effort to effort, and company to company, this process is relatively
consistent for most system-engineering efforts. 3GPP’s development of technical specifications is very
much analogous to this. The only fundamental differences are that 3GPP develops technical specifications
(vs. jet planes), is constrained by meeting time (vs. OPEX $ and resources) and is a collaborative effort
across hundreds of different entities with potentially diverse interests/incentives. Furthermore, 3GPP has
tens, if not hundreds of these system-engineering efforts going on at once. Some are more minor projects
and some of them are very big projects — like designing a jet airplane.
3GPP is a collaborative, system-level engineering effort, and thus, the 3GPP workflow and working
procedures reflect this. Figure 2 depicts a high-level view of the 3GPP process where you will notice a lot
of similarities to the jet plane analogy above.

1
Example is reproduced from https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2017/08/02/understanding-3gpp-starting-
basics
 139

Figure 2: 3GPP working procedures and process.

A quick summary of the 3GPP process can then be listed as follows:

• Project proposals (Step 2 above) introduce new technical features/services into the cellular system
and are initiated by individual members based on early development work (Step 1 above) done outside
of 3GPP. In other words, there is no "Mr. 3GPP" deciding or driving what the next big cellular feature
will be — it relies on the leadership of individual 3GPP Members (also called IMs).
• All new 3GPP work activity must be approved at the plenary meetings, which take place quarterly.
Approval of significant features usually results in one or more approved Study Item(s) to conduct
feasibility on multiple technology options/solutions (Step 3 above) based on the technical
contributions of individual 3GPP members. The output of a Study Item is a Technical Report (TR) that
details the agreed-upon concepts from the feasibility study.
• Once the Study Item is complete and TR approved, this may result in corresponding Work Item(s)2 to
begin development work on the feature implementation details based on the agreed-upon concepts
from the Study Item TR, as well as continued technical contributions from 3GPP members (Step 4
above). Agreed-upon implementation details are executed in 3GPP Tech Specification(s) — either
creating new specifications or making updates to existing specifications. Once Technical
Specifications are released, it kicks-off a race to deliver standards-compliant devices and infrastructure
to enable wide-scale commercial deployments (Step 5 above).
There is one final and essential point on the way decisions are made in 3GPP. Decisions in 3GPP are
technology-driven and result from a consensus-based process open to all members. 3GPP members
submit technical documents, often referred to as contributions, to propose solutions and technologies.
These contributions are discussed publicly in 3GPP meetings (time permitting). Any member can reject a
contribution at any time, in which discussions about the contribution (and related alternative contributions)
continue well beyond the 3GPP agenda and the 3GPP meeting in which the contribution(s) were originally
presented. Thus, the 3GPP decision-making process is iterative and non-linear. Very few of the agreed-upon
concepts in a Technical Report resulting from a Study Item or agreed-upon implementation details in
Technical Specifications resulting from a Work Item are untouched from the initial member contribution(s).
The agreed-upon concepts and implementation details instead come from a collaborative effort that

2
Not all Work Items are the result of a Study Item — smaller, more evolutionary efforts may start directly and may
have some study phase at the start of the Work Item
 140

involves iteration and negotiation between 3GPP members. One of the main reasons as to why 3GPP
remains successful to date.

2.2 Classification of Industry Standardization

Industries worldwide that have an active Standardization engagement plan their engagements into the
following four areas of standardization, which are critical to the development of communication systems
and corresponding ecosystems:
• Spectrum and technical regulations: The timely availability of globally or regionally harmonized radio
spectrum is a key requirement for the successful deployment of radio systems, including terrestrial
mobile networks. Decisions are made by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), regional
regulatory bodies, or local bodies on a per country basis – all of whom place technical requirements
on equipment to avoid inter-system interference. Additional technical regulations, including physical
restrictions on the deployment of equipment, electromagnetic field matters (EMF), and cyber and
physical security aspects must also be in place to ensure the successful rollout and use of mobile
networks.
• Connectivity networks: Here, the rules dictating how to interact in the ecosystem of connectivity
networks are set. These encompass, for example, the multivendor interfaces and application program
interfaces (APIs) that ensures global connectivity across networks and enable the unprecedented
scaling of products.
• Ecosystem expansion: Ecosystem expansion standardization ensures that markets using mobile
technologies – especially those new to the industry – fully understand and can properly utilize
connectivity networks. Activities within this area also include harmonizing the requirements of such
markets within the standardization of connectivity networks.
• Implementation components: The standardization of implementation components ensures the
availability of the components and technologies needed to implement connectivity network products
and services worldwide.

2.3 Intent to contribute to 6G Standards

To assess the ability of Indian entities to participate in 6G standards development, inputs were collected
from a select set of Indian entities(list available in Annex 1). Accordingly, a set of questions were asked to
these representative companies to assess the capability of these Indian Comm Tech Companies on
Product, R&D and 6G Standards contribution. Based on the information provided by them these Indian
Communication technology enterprises have an intention to contribute to the following areas for 6G
Standards:
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Application of AI and DLT in 6G Network Security

Technologies to use AI in communications
Technologies to enhance the radio interface
Technologies for integrated sensing and communication
Technologies to support convergence of communication and computing architecture
Technologies for integrated access and superlink communications
Technologies to efficiently utilize spectrums
Technologies to enhance energy efficiency and low power consumption

Technologies to natively support real-time services/communications

Technologies to enhance trustworthiness
Use Cases for Immersive Cloud XR
Use Cases for Holographic Communications
Use Cases for Sensory Interconnection
Use Cases for Intelligent Interaction
Use Cases for Communication for Sensing
Use Cases for Proliferation of Intelligence

Use Cases for Digital Twins

Use Cases for Global Seamless Coverage

Starting with the research above, India needs to put together a roadmap and vision for 6G technology
development and Standards contribution.

2.4 Regional Research Initiatives on NextGen Networks

Various countries and regions have already announced formal plans of government support for their
research and development efforts that will define 6G. They all have the goal of firmly establishing
themselves as the epicentre for the next generation of innovation and economic growth.
Funding for such national programs is happening throughout the world today. Some programs worth
mentioning are as follows:
• Europe
o Smart network & services joint undertaking (EU - research program)
o Hexa-X (EU - research project)
o 6G Genesis (Finland – research project)
o BMBF (Germany – funding body)
o KTH Digital Futures (Sweden – research center)
• China
o Promotion groups by the Ministry of Industry Information Technology (MIIT) and National Key R&D
Program by Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
• USA
o NSF Project (see details below)
o RINGS
o NextG Alliance
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• Canada
o NSERC, Mitacs, SIF
• Japan
o B5G Consortium (MIC)
o NICT
• Korea
o 6G R&D strategy (Ministry of Science & ICT)
o ETRI
US National Science Foundation funds research on Advanced Wireless Next Generation Systems, which
involves a broad participation across industries. Some of their ongoing projects include:
• Resilient and Intelligent NextG Systems (RINGS): Accelerate research in areas with significant impact
on next generation (NextG) wireless and mobile communication, networking, sending and computing
systems
• Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR): Research to enable experimental techniques,
networks, systems, and devices
• Spectrum Innovation Initiative (SII-Center): New advanced and automated spectrum management
techniques
• Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Enabled by Future Technologies (SWIFT): New technology or
significant enhancements to existing wireless infra for improving spectrum utilization, beyond
spectrum efficiency
• Machine Learning for Wireless Networking Systems (MLWiNS): Wireless specific ML techniques for
dynamic spectrum access, improve radio/network resource efficiency, scale to address diverse and
stringent QoS of future wireless applications.
The importance associated with programs around 6G cannot be underestimated and would revolve around
the following aspects:
• Significant Global economic value expected from mobile / cellular industry
• Connectivity remaining crucial for economic and societal development
• Critical communications infrastructure increasingly dependent on mobile connectivity
• Indian leadership in key technologies and ensuring security and resiliency of Next G is important
An Indian initiative led by industry and with support from government will be essential for balancing the
efforts of these other regions and ensure our 6G leadership. Government, industry, and academia will need
to cooperate more closely in identifying research priorities. This should begin with a concerted effort by
industry, academia, and government to develop a research agenda for 6G leadership in areas of shared
interest. As a first step in the process, the government should facilitate a stakeholder’s session jointly with
industry and academic members to engage in a dialogue identifying mutual 6G research priorities.
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3. Global Initiatives on 6G
Worldwide interest has also started among the industry members on aligning research outcomes to the
standards development processes.
• North America: NextG Alliance
• Europe: 6G IA
• China: IMT 2030PG initiative Future Forum
• Japan: B5G Consortium
• Korea: 5G Forum (MoU with Next G Alliance)
• India: TIG-6G (in the formation stage)
A key to fast and seamless adoption of new technologies across the globe is a timely and effective
standardization, performed by Standards Developing Organizations (SDO), aligned among all relevant
stakeholders. Several SDOs are expected to work on 6G, e.g., 3GPP, ETSI, IETF and IEEE, in a much tighter
way than they did for 5G, as 6G intends to merge and make work together different technologies, which
have been taken care of, so far, by different SDOs.
Effective standardization requires sound regulation and governance that surround the technical work of
the SDOs and ensure proper legal frameworks among different geo-areas. The national approach to
regulation is an artifact of technological opportunities and institutional and social acceptance models. As
6G becomes pervasive the challenge of how and what to regulate becomes ever more intense.

3.1 Timeline
Standardization work on 6G is not expected to start till 2025. Initial efforts on identifying future service
needs for the next decade, as the ones performed by ITU-T with the Focus Group on Network 2030, have
fostered the definition of evolutionary steps from 5G networks being deployed nowadays. The International
Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems for 2030 and beyond will be developed as a global standard to
better serve the communication needs in every continent of the world.

Figure-3: The evolution of usage scenarios from IMT-2020 to IMT for 2030 and beyond (source: ITU-R)

The overall usage scenarios in 6G are envisaged to emerge further from the three basic categories in 5G
i.e., eMBB, mMTC and URLLC. These three basic categories are expected to expand into 6 different service
categories based upon use case requirements. These usage scenarios can further be mapped into various
key user applications and capabilities (Figure 3).
The 6G timeline is under development by SDOs, 3GPP, ITU, and other interested organizations. ITU-R
Working Party 5D (IMT Systems) is responsible for overall planning for IMT (International Mobile
Telecommunications) systems and develops its schedule based on input from SDOs, specification groups,
 144

and industry. The current timeline being discussed in the related ITU-R WP 5D group is made available in
Figure 4.

Figure 4: Current timeline consideration at ITU-R WP 5D on IMT specifications for 2030 and beyond

To achieve global interoperability, mobile systems are specified and standardized in international forums,
such as ITU and 3GPP. The ITU approach is for external organizations and members to submit their 6G
technical proposals for consideration. It is expected that the main technical specification of 6G systems
will be done in 3GPP to maximize global harmonization. It is critical that India takes a leadership role in the
development of 6G specifications and standards. While standards should continue to be private sector led,
alignment between industry and government on key drivers for Indian success will ultimately deliver
standards that meet the worldwide marketplace needs and values.

Figure 5: Overall roadmap for 6G development (tentative)

The development of 6G systems is expected to happen in parallel to various stages of the standardization
effort; testbeds and trials can be used to validate technical choices made during standardization and to
obtain experience with implementation options. Additionally, during the deployment and commercial
operation, new services requirements will emerge for an evolution of the 6G systems, with input into the
research, innovation, and development lifecycle. From 3GPP standards development point of view, there
are yet features and capabilities from existing 5G solutions that require full specification, and which are
expected to be completed in forthcoming 3GPP Release 18, targeting end of 2023. Next releases, by mid
of the decade, i.e., 2025, are expected to be focused on 5G evolution, in parallel to the analysis of 6G, and
finally on the proper 6G specification. Figure 5 illustrates the overall roadmap for 6G development.
 145

4. Creating a vision for 6G success in India

The next generation of wireless technology will be woven into the daily lives of society to an even greater
degree than today’s technology. This role presents tremendous opportunities for 6G to facilitate key public
policy objectives in areas such as security, privacy, environment, safety, health, sustainability, and equity,
among others. But a policy framework that provides clarity to the industry, balanced with the flexibility
necessary to promote competition in innovation, will be critical to create a foundation for key 6G
applications and use cases.
Successful implementation of India’s 6G vision must include an effort to work with other market-driven
partners on common approaches to key policy issues to the extent possible. The very nature of advanced
communications technologies facilitates the ability to offer services and social benefits across borders.
Identifying areas for consistent societal, legal, and regulatory regimes will enable 6G technologies to
achieve their full potential. Additionally, agreement on approaches will promote greater leverage in support
of those positions within international bodies establishing standards for 6G.
To achieve the above objective, it is essential that India starts working towards globally harmonized
standards to leverage global economies of scale both for network & devices, as it ensures international
roaming & interoperability across networks deployed globally. It is pertinent to note that this approach
caters to all the segments of stakeholders. Most importantly, it will be beneficial for consumers leading to
least cost implication in terms of handsets and service cost, availability of commercial devices, which will
work across the networks in India and while roaming outside of India. For the industry, it leads to optimized
use of investments, minimal implementation impacts on the evolution of existing networks and economies
of scale. This also syncs with the Government’s regulatory and policy measures in terms of least
implications to prevailing regulatory requirements and attracting investments towards manufacturing in
India for the world.
To successfully compete with the aggressive efforts of other countries, the Indian government must
provide resources to support a collaborative framework for research engagements jointly led by the
industry, academia, and other domestic stakeholders. Such support would include:
• Financial support and incentives for undertaking basic research,
• Access to government test bed facilities,
• Bridging the gap between research and development to promote adoption of early-stage technologies.
Public and private investments shall focus on key 6G technologies, such as programmability, integrated
sensing and communication, trustworthy infrastructure, scalability, and affordability, as well as AI/ML,
microelectronics (at least in design), photonics, batteries (e.g., for mobile devices), software, and other
technologies that may help to reduce the energy footprint. India needs an effective and inclusive program
to foster Entrepreneurship with private and public participation, complemented with tax policies, to create
new businesses around the creation, development, and delivery of these technologies.
The ultimate completion of 6G requires full interoperability between all entities on all levels, i.e., global
standards. This would ensure an affordable and scalable 6G system that may be utilized worldwide.
Effective standardization requires sound regulation and governance, which in turn require a common
certification process, considering the growing number of vendors that will develop for an ecosystem across
the world, plus a lean process that would allow verticals to sell their services from anywhere to everywhere.
While India can focus on doing Stage 1 (requirements) and 2 (architecture) standardizations work within
the different structures identified (TEC, BIS, WPC, TSDSI, etc.), Stage 3 (normative) standardization work
should focus on international bodies including the likes of ITU-R, ITU-T, 3GPP, IEEE, etc., so that there is
more global acceptance, nd recognition to the efforts and commitments from India. We need to also do
effective coordination among different Indian entities active in 6G and with global counterparts (viz., NextG
 146

Alliance, HEXA-X, IMT2030-PG, etc.) through the establishment of MoU’s and cooperation agreements, to
leverage our skills and avoid duplication of efforts.
To begin with, India needs to put together a roadmap and vision for 6G technology development. The scope
of such a document is to provide a foundational vision for 6G that addresses both Indian needs and global
alignment goals and to develop priorities and strategies for achieving Indian leadership alongside other
regions’ leadership. This includes describing the key challenges across social and economic, technical,
spectrum, applications, and sustainability (e.g., energy, environmental) considerations, and recommending
governmental actions and standardization strategies. Progression in 6G development and standardization
should lead to a proactive market readiness stage, where policies and incentivized innovation can set the
stage for a robust 6G marketplace. Market-ready spectrum policies and incentives for widespread 6G
deployment would lay the groundwork for rapid commercialization and deployment. It is imperative for
industry and government to cooperate on policies and actions that facilitate strong market readiness for
6G.
In addition to internal discussions, the task force has also interacted with the representatives from global
6G initiatives like the US3 Next Gen Alliance (NGA) and the EU4 SNS-JU to understand the globally prevalent
methodologies and best practices. Their presentations are attached as an annexure to this report.
This task force recommends the following aspects:
• A 6G program be created with a broad category of ecosystem partners including operators, vendors,
hyper scalers, academia, and Government research labs, that is agile and quickly adaptable to the
evolving needs for driving 6G research and innovations, building on and strengthening India’s
competencies. (e.g., Next Gen Alliance was setup outside the ATIS, with its own working procedures)
• This set of stake holders through a consensus driven approach recommend topics/themes of interest
in 6G based on business and societal needs. The program should cover all aspects of technology
development including early research, proof-of-concept, standardization, trials & testbeds, etc.
• Government of India taking a lead in streamlining the process and fund research programs on the
themes identified.
• The 6G program to take a lead in preparing well defined measurable KPIs to assess the success of
these program funding.
• The objectives of this framework are also to have cohesive policies to meet common goal of national
leaderships, national 6G Roadmap, Sustainability goals, etc.
• It is important that this initiative gains momentum immediately and aligns to the timeline of various 6G
standards efforts across the globe.
• The 6G program should take a lead in developing consensus on solutions of interest and pursue the
standardization efforts at the corresponding international standardization bodies
• Concurrently, the program should facilitate early trials and prototype development, aimed at developing
proof-of-concepts and support the domestic manufacturing process.
The internal framework that we propose to adopt and to build in India should be consistent with the
framework that is being discussed in ITU and 3GPP. All aspects of technology development that we need
to pursue should be converging with the universal standardization process happening globally. As
independence existence of a country specific technology is not possible in this age, we can observe from
the regulatory process, in which direction the wind blows, and accordingly revise our strategies dynamically.
This can be realized only by participating in the standardization process actively by influencing in the
creation of IMT 2030 framework as well as subsequent standardization process at 3GPP to be dictated by

3
Next G Alliance by ATIS, https://nextgalliance.org/
4
EU SNS https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/smart-networks-and-services-joint-undertaking
 147

our national R&D activities and as per our tested prototypes. That means our technology development
should sync with the progress of the regulation. As we could see, certain countries taking very aggressive
approach in ITU-R and steer the discussion in that direction. This way only we can ensure that our
technology, if shaped towards the objectives of 6G, is not alienated in the overall scheme of things.
Indian and Atmanirbhar Approach to 6G Standards:
• 6G program imperatives
o “Big Bets” by investing heavily on development of 6G Standards in defined/ focused areas, as
opposed to natural evolution based on market driven forces
o Evolution of the ‘Public Sector model’ of the 60s and 70s to the “Public Investment” for Atmanirbhar
Bharat
o “Identifying the process for discovery of prioritised areas for 6G Standards” rather than “Identifying
the prioritised areas for 6G Standards”
• 6G Focus areas for India
o For the Indian Society
o For the Indian Industry
o For international market forays/ global market access
• Sustainable Standards driven Research Program must include
o Sustainable 6G Roadmap R&D/ Standards Contribution Areas
o Sustainability Capability (Start-ups, Academia, Industry)
o Sustainable Resource (Academia, Industry)
o Sustainable Funding (Government, Industry)
o Sustainable Global 6G Standards Participation program
India must step up to the 6G standards and technologies in a bold and aggressive manner, in order to create
the ecosystem and framework for contributing meaningfully to the 6G economy in a sustainable and
impactful manner.
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Annexure A: 6G Standards Engagement for Atmanirbhar Bharat

Winning in the digital age will require India to demonstrate technical and technology leadership at the
international stage. India must make the shift from Services to Products to claim a substantial part of the
coming growth for itself. It must also change to its posture to an aggressive proactive contributor to 6G
Standards, from being a follower or just a compliance seeker.
Successful implementation of India’s 6G vision must include a deep dive to understand the state of art in
the country. It must also understand the current state of research capabilities. And then, it must understand
the areas in which the Indian ecosystem is committed towards contributing to 6G standards.
A very high-level research summary to this effect is produced below.

A.1. List of Companies participated in the survey

Sl. Company Name
1 Accord
2 Alif Semiconductor
3 Astrome Technologies
4 Big Cat Wireless
5 CDOT
6 Cientra Techsolutions
7 Coral Telecom
8 DSP Works
9 Dyotis Technologies
10 Easiofy
11 Eigen Technologies
12 ELCOM
13 Enmovil Solutions
14 Frog Cellsat
15 HFCL
16 Indio Networks
17 Infinity Labs
18 Inventum Technologies
19 ITI
20 Kenstel Networks
21 Kotkar
22 Lavelle
23 Lekha Wireless
24 Linking Minds
25 Mannash Solution
26 Matrix Comsec
27 MCBS
28 NEXGE Technologies
29 Nimble Vision
30 Niral Networks
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Sl. Company Name

31 Nivetti Systems
32 NMS Works
33 Resonous Technologies
34 Saankhya Labs
35 Samriddhi Automation
36 Sparsh Technology
37 Sensegiz
38 Sensorise
39 Signaltron
40 Signalchip
41 SNS Softtech
42 Sookhta
43 Sterlite
44 TCS
45 Tejas Networks
46 UTL
47 Valles Marineris
48 VNL
49 Vista Inf.
50 VVDN Technologies
51 WiSig

A.2. Product Capability Areas

The Indian Communication technology enterprises have demonstrable products and capabilities in the
following areas, where at least three or more companies provide a viable product portfolio:

Products & Capabilities Org. count

Small Size LTE/ LTE-R Based Mobile Systems, with its various derivatives
including rural & disaster communications, Macro & Micro eNodeB, Small Cells,
EPC, NIB C-RAN BBU and RRH, LTE/ LTE-R/ LTE Advanced based broadband 11
wireless access systems (eNodeB, gNB, EPC, etc.) in all standard LTE bands in the
country
Smart City Solutions 10
IoT Modules 9
LTE/ LTE-R Based Mobile Systems, with its various derivatives including rural &
disaster communications, Macro & Micro eNode B, Small Cells, EPC, NIB C-RAN 8
BBU and RRH, LTE/ LTE-R/ LTE Advanced/ based broadband wireless access
systems (eNodeB, EPC etc.) in all standard LTE bands in the country
Software Defined Radio, Cognitive Radio systems (all bands) 8
Telecom Network Management systems (NMS) with its various derivatives 8
IP/ MPLS Core routers/ Edge/Aggregation/ Enterprise Router 7
M2M/ IOT Subsystems including NB IoT in different verticals 7
Pico eNodeB, Category 2, TEC ENB GR (TDD/FDD) 7
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Products & Capabilities Org. count

Radio systems (IP/ Hybrid), Mobile Front haul BBU and RRH (CPRI, eCPRI, FlexE,
7
RoE, NGFI)
Disaster Communication Systems etc., including backpack satellite products 6
IoT based SCADA Devices 6
IP based Soft Switches, IMS, Unified Communication Systems 6
Telecom & IT Software Solutions 6
Telecom Network Management systems (NMS) with its various derivatives
including Operation Support System (OSS), Billing Support System (BSS), Trouble 6
Ticketing System (TTS)
Ethernet Switches (L2 and L3) 5
GPON equipment (including ONT and OLT) 5
IoT Based Customer Feedback Devices 5
Mesh network of Hardware, Cloud, analytics and Software 5
Remote Device Management & Data Acquisition 5
Satellite based systems 5
Video Conferencing Applications 5
Wireline PABXs / IP PBX 5
Encryption/ UTM platforms (TDM and IP) (Unified threat management) 4
Gateways: GSM, V0IP, Signalling, 4
Home Automation based on Wi-Fi or sub-GHz solutions including sensors,
4
remotes
IP audio phones / IP video Phones / Analog adaptor 4
mm Wave Systems 4
Other satellite equipment 4
Outdoor AP (802.11ac - MIMO 2.4 and 5 GHz bands - IP67 Rated 4

Satellite based IoT Systems including location, resources tracking 4

Satellite Communication- Ground/ Earth Station Antennas 4
Space Communication 4
Unified Communications and IP Telephony 4
VoIP and SIP Phones (User Terminals Phones) 4
XGS-PON, 4
Drone Communication 3
Embedded Transaction Device 3
EPC (Enterprise class) 3
Media Gateways 3
NB-IoT Geo Satellite Systems 3
NFV/ SDN CPE 3
NG-PON2 3
Outdoor AP (802.11n/b/g - MIMO 2.4 and 5 GHz bands - IP67 rated 3
Portable RAN Framework 3
Remote management platforms for SIM, Subscription and Device enablement 3
SDN Software Controllers, NVF and CNF software 3
Security and Surveillance Communication Systems (video and sensors based)
3
including Perimeter Security Systems
SIM Applets for Subscription Management & Control 3
Telecom Consultancy 3
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Products & Capabilities Org. count

Telecom OSS with its various derivatives 3
VSAT Systems 3
Wi-Fi based broadband wireless access systems indoor & Outdoor (Including 3
Access Point, Aggregation Block, Core Block)
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:
 153

A.3. R&D Capability Areas

The Indian Communication technology enterprises have ongoing research and development in the
following areas, where at least two or more companies have a viable investment:

A tabular form of prioritized R&D capabilities is presented below:

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Fields Organisations in R&D

5G Based broadband wireless infrastructure systems including
10
gNodeB, 5G Core
IoT Modules 9
IP/ MPLS Core routers/ Edge/Aggregation/ Enterprise Router 8

LTE/ LTE-R Based Mobile Systems, with its various derivatives

including rural & disaster communications, Macro & Micro eNode B,
Small Cells, EPC, NIB C-RAN BBU and RRH, LTE/ LTE-R/ LTE 8
Advanced/ based broadband wireless access systems (eNodeB, EPC
etc.) in all standard LTE bands in the country

M2M/ IOT Subsystems including NB IoT in different verticals 8

Telecom & IT Software Solutions 8
CPE (including Wi-Fi Access points and Routers, Media Converters), 7
Pico eNodeB, Category 2, TEC ENB GR (TDD/FDD) 7
Satellite based systems 7

Small Size LTE/ LTE-R Based Mobile Systems, with its various
derivatives including rural & disaster communications, Macro & Micro
eNodeB, Small Cells, EPC, NIB C-RAN BBU and RRH , LTE/ LTE-R/ LTE 7
Advanced based broadband wireless access systems (eNodeB, gNB,
EPC, etc.) in all standard LTE bands in the country

Smart City Solutions 7

Software Defined Radio, Cognitive Radio systems (all bands) 7
2G/ 3G/ 4G LTE/5G Modems 6
4G NIB Small cell 6
Disaster Communication Systems etc., including backpack satellite
6
products
IoT based SCADA Devices 6
Telecom Network Management systems (NMS) with its various
6
derivatives
5G Edge networking platform 5
mm Wave Systems 5
Other satellite equipment 5
Radio systems (IP/ Hybrid), Mobile Front haul BBU and RRH (CPRI,
5
eCPRI, FlexE, RoE, NGFI)
Satellite based IoT Systems including location, resources tracking 5

Satellite Communication- Ground/ Earth Station Antennas 5

Space Communication 5
AAA block(Authentication, Authorization & Accounting) 4
Camera including long range camera, IP camera & Recorders, Night
4
vision cameras
Cloud Computing 4
 155

Fields Organisations in R&D

Distributed Unit (DU) 4
Ethernet Switches (L2 and L3) 4
Home Automation based on Wi-Fi or sub-GHz solutions including
4
sensors, remotes
IoT Based Customer Feedback Devices 4
IP audio phones / IP video Phones / Analog adaptor 4
IP based Soft Switches, IMS, Unified Communication Systems 4
Media Gateways 4
NFV/ SDN CPE 4
NG-PON2 4
Outdoor AP (802.11ac - MIMO 2.4 and 5 GHz bands - IP67 Rated 4

Outdoor AP (802.11n/b/g - MIMO 2.4 and 5 GHz bands - IP67 rated 4

Remote Device Management & Data Acquisition 4
Telecom Consultancy 4
Telecom Network Management systems (NMS) with its various
derivatives including Operation Support System (OSS), Billing Support 4
System (BSS), Trouble Ticketing System (TTS)
Unified Communications and IP Telephony 4
VoIP and SIP Phones (User Terminals Phones) 4
VSAT Systems 4
Wi-Fi based broadband wireless access systems indoor & Outdoor
4
(Including Access Point, Aggregation Block, Core Block)
Wireline PABXs / IP PBX 4
XGS-PON, 4
5G CPE 3
Drone Communication 3
Encryption/ UTM platforms (TDM and IP) (Unified threat management) 3
EPC (Enterprise class) 3
Gateways: GSM, V0IP, Signalling, 3
GNSS based Time Servers (including navIC) NTP. IEEE 1588/PTP for
Time Synchronisation and Standalone GNSS receiver for location 3
information
GPON equipment (including ONT and OLT) 3
Mesh network of Hardware, Cloud, analytics and Software 3
NB-IoT Geo Satellite Systems 3
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) 3
Remote management platforms for SIM, Subscription and Device
3
enablement
SIM Applets for Subscription Management & Control 3
Telecom Billing Support System (BSS) with all its derivatives 3
Telecom OSS with its various derivatives 3
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Fields Organisations in R&D

Terrestrial Communication 3
Two-way MSS Data Terminals (Satellite Receivers with location data) 3
Video Conferencing Applications 3
VSAT terminal Subsystem - IDUs 3
VSAT Terminal Subsystem - ODUs 3
Over-the-Air Technology 2
Secure Element based Identity and Encryption Systems 2

A.4. External Presentations

“NextG Alliance” Presentation by Dr. Farrokh Khatibi (Qualcomm)

Next G Alliance.pdf

“EU’s 6G Smart Networks and Services (SNS) Joint Undertaking” presentation by Dr. Colin Willcock.

EU 6G-IA
Presentation to TSDSI
6G Taskforce Report:
R&D Funding
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1. Background
Telecommunication technology products require significantly large funding and long gestation periods for
R&D and commercialization. The stages move from ideation, research, incubation, prototyping, lab testing,
miniaturization, field testing, hardening, securitization, outdoor readiness, licenses for background IPs,
Standardization etc. In the cases of deep tech SoCs (System on Chips) funding needs would go further
higher due to multi-layers of prototyping. These are some of the factors which enabled only a few global
companies to sustain in the market while continuously investing in R&D withstanding aggressive global
competition. In this scenario, standardized open interfaces have enabled emergence of small niche
companies to develop products to meet various requirements in both public and private networks.

India is in the cusp of emergence of several small companies, start-ups and academia in these niche areas
opening new doors for positioning India on global Digi-com technology landscape. The brimming start-up
ecosystem is an added strength to in the 6G technology initiative. The outcome of supply-base assessment
carried out by DoT a few years back reflects competencies across industry and academia (indigenous 5G
Testbed) to firmly believe that with suitable and sufficient funding, policy handholding will enable Indian
players to play an important role in global partnerships in 6G and beyond programs with significant value
add in global value chain.

As may be seen in the

figure-1, patents filed in
5% of
communication
Total
Technologies at Indian
granted
Patent office
(2020)
are relatively small.

Technology ownership
and control is
transcending over-the
normative trade principle
of just reducing import bill
but is gaining strategic
importance in view of Figure 1: Communication Technology Patents (Indian Patents Office)
geo-political relations.
Technology ownership is also being directly related to making affordable technologies across economic
verticals for proliferation of technology adoption.

The Taskforce on R&D funding is constituted with the following terms of reference to enable Indian R&D
ecosystem leapfrog in the 6G activities with concrete outcomes in terms of the development of
technologies, contribution to global 6G standards and commercialization of the developed products for
domestic and global markets.
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1.1. Terms of Reference

• Develop a roadmap for funding R&D, Pre-standardization, Standardization Activities, Development of
6G Technologies, Products and Applications
• Mechanisms for vetting R&D budget proposals under the 6G Mission
• Funding models and modalities of R&D activities and ecosystem – Academia / Industry / industry-
Academia joint partnerships, IPR Development, Standards Development, Proof of Concepts, PPP
Projects, Testbeds, Setting up CoEs, Pilot Rollouts etc.
• Any other items in the scope of funding of 6G activities including awareness, capacity building,
hackathons, and over all deliverables.
Other taskforce’s chairs are also part of the R&D funding taskforce (constitution at Annex 1) to bring in
respective taskforce plans and programs as part of the larger funding proposition and build synergies.

2. Objectives for 6G R&D Funding

• To promote the ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, development, proof of concept testing,
IPR creation, field testing, security, certification and manufacturing.
• To develop and establish relevant standards to meet national requirements and enable their
standardization in international standardization bodies.
• To enable proliferation of affordable broadband and mobile services; positioning state of the art
communication technologies for rural and remote areas to bridge digital divide.
• To create synergies among the Academia, Research Institutes, Start-ups and Industry for capacity
building and development of telecom ecosystem through outreach to build relevant technologies and
solutions.
• To bridge the gap between R&D and commercialization of products and solutions.
• Commercialization of developed technologies for domestic and global markets.
• To build competency base for beyond 6G communication technologies.

3. Summary of Recommendations
• The programs under 6G to encourage building technology ownership, developing IPRs and SEPs,
moving from prototyping to commercialization as part of the project roadmap. CDoT along with other
research institutions is envisaged to play a significant collaborative role.
• Funding needs are diverse for academia, industry, research organizations to build capacities and
competencies in different stages of R&D for 6G program in the coming ten years. Hence, different
funding mechanisms and instruments to be adopted with flexibility and liberal norms.
• Funding to cover different activities under research, design, prototyping, development, proof of concept
testing, IPR creation, standardization (Including pre-standardization) standards participation, field
testing, security, certification in the R&D process.
• The projects may include Research Testbeds, R&D in products such as network elements, antennas,
reflectors, systems, devices, SoCs. At a later stage, they may extend to largescale trials, CoEs for use
cases etc. As part of funding, a seed funding for the joint international projects may be explored on
bilateral and multilateral platforms.
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• Since from inception i.e., research stage, industry participation from technology companies and system
integrators should be envisaged to enable scale R&D to higher TRL levels with agility and velocity.
• Apart from technologies which are upgrades of 5G+, several new research projects may be necessary
to work on cross-platform projects, that may require significant funding to contribute to IPRs in 6G
research.
• A program to identify industry champions to facilitate funding on liberal terms may be initiated. It
should also identify “academia clusters’ for taking up programs based on competencies in different
verticals and ‘system integrators’ for orchestrating new generation products.
• Constitute an Apex Level Advisory board with Indian experts from India and abroad for advising on
programs and funding needs. Members from relevant ministries to be included to enable synergies in
funding related programs.
• There is a need to create a large corpus of R&D fund to facilitate various funding instruments such as
grants, loans, VC fund, fund of funds etc. A pool of Rs. 10,000 CR is envisaged to be created to service
these requirements for the next 10 years with eye on R&D and commercialization. Government may
take lead in creating this fund considering the budding technology ecosystem in the country to
strengthen it for 6G and beyond technologies.
• Two tiers of grants are proposed i.e., up to Rs. 20 Cr to service funding requirements ranging from
small to medium. Grants above Rs 20 Cr are envisaged for High Impact projects.
• Administrative set up for vetting R&D projects may include the following depending on the size and
scope.
o Inter-ministerial committee: The mechanism could commence its work in line with other R&D
funding schemes like DCIS etc.
o A Section 8 Company or Society may be envisaged exclusively as a delivery mechanism for 6G, and
other telecom related programs or existing agencies of other ministries may also be considered
on need basis.
o Telecom focused VC fund and Fund of funds are envisaged for large size high risk funding needs.
• Entities eligible for R&D funding, indicative process, administrative structure are also indicated to
enable early take off of the program.
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4. Large capital needs for R&D

The figure 2 presents R&D expenditure of global majors including telecom OEMs. It may be seen the kind
of investments that may have gone into 5G technology development noting the R&D expenditure in
communication technology
Annual R&D Investment 2017-18 (INR companies.
Crores)
120,000 111,000
101,250 The figure 3 presents the role
93,750
100,000
80,250 of different agencies including
80,000 government, academia, small
60,000 and large businesses in
42,000 40,500 37,500
33,750
40,000 different stages of technology
20,000 development. In the cases of
- new technologies
development in TRL levels 1-7,
the government is envisaged
to take a lead role.

Figure 2 Source: https://spendmenot.com/blog/top-rd-spenders/

Figure 3 European Commission - EURAXESS

Taking note of strategic and economic needs of technology ownership in Critical and Emerging
Technologies (CET), acknowledging the large needs of capital formation for telecom technology R&D and
lead role envisaged from government, it is necessary, to create a large pool of capital for R&D in the country,
through different financing structures and instruments.

As per the supply base assessment carried out by DoT, there are significant competencies in the country
in technology products and platforms cutting across network infrastructure, transport, devices, platforms,
SoCs, antenna systems etc. It was also noted many of the technology companies in the strata of SMEs and
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Start-ups are cash strapped for additional R&D funding despite their demonstrated competencies in 5G
technologies. It may also be noted that patents filed by domestic companies is a fraction of total patents
filed in telecom technologies.

5. Funding timelines
The following schematic presents a likely unified view of 3GPP, ITU regarding 6G program. While research
projects are envisaged to dominate in the initial phases, the middle phase may focus more on
standardization, prototyping followed by commercialization beyond 2028.

Figure 4 6G Timelines: Source Nokia

So, in line with global timelines, the 6G funding program should synchronize its activities and facilitate R&D
stakeholders in a lock stock barrel approach on all fronts.

6. Priorities
6.1 Identifying champions in technology development
As mentioned, funding the industry and academia with focus on start-ups and SMEs who have core
strengths and demonstrated capabilities is an important first step before taking a big leap. Considering
the limited resource in terms of grants, an exercise to identify champions may be carried out to identify key
industry players in terms of individual funding (in the cases of SMEs and Start-ups) and consortium
programs (in the cases of academia and system integrators) to avoid thin spread of available funding. A
DoT Apex Committee may come out with an expression of interest in a specific format to identify key
players in this direction. The facilitation may include waiving the need for bank guarantees, need for
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collateral etc., for any advances to be paid in technology development and special dispensation under
grants and instruments.

• SMEs, Start-ups: IPRs generated in the previous generation technologies, investments made in R&D,
TRL levels of products.
• Academia or cluster of academia: IPRs generated in the previous generation technologies, TRL levels
of technologies and products.
• The above doesn’t preclude any new generation domestic companies emerging in the 6G landscape in
applying for necessary funding support.

6.2 System Integration is key

The trend of open interfaces in technology products (e.g., Open RAN) is envisaged to continue triggering
several small new companies developing niche products fitting into the technology / product architecture
of 6G. These augurs good for Indigenous companies to position their products against competition in
global markets.

Cross platform, cross device, cross medium orchestration demands state of the art expertise in system
integration of these products from start-ups and SMEs making it a wholesome solution. As successfully
demonstrated in the case of BSNL 4G PoC trials, Indian R&D ecosystem needs specialized system
integrators in communication technologies to bring different flavours of products and solutions together
to frontend, rollout, and support services on ground not only in 5G era but more so in 6G era, especially due
to lack of mega technology companies from India, who may bear investments upfront and extend support
perpetually during the life cycle of the products.

Building successful partnerships with System Integrators from the beginning in all R&D projects in 6G would
reasonably ensure commercialization of technologies.

6.3. Funding in standards participation

In line with INSS (Indian National Strategy for Standardization), funding of experts from industry to enable
their full participation in all the standardization process meetings is necessary to build standardization
competencies in global platforms to consummate Indian standardization efforts leading to engage in SEP
generation from the country.

6.4. Funding through different structure and instruments

Different funding instruments and structures are necessary to realize the objectives set forth under the 6G
TIG and these are elaborated in later sections.

6.5. Apex level advisory board for funding direction

It is proposed to have an apex level board with Indian experts from India and abroad under DoT
chairmanship to provide guidance and direction to the funding program for largescale projects cutting
across ministries.

6.6 Champion initiatives & Programs

The 6G program may initiate champion initiatives taking note of inputs from the taskforce reports. Some
of these initiatives include:

• A time-bound 6G Competency assessment program across institutes and industry

• Testbeds for Tera Hz and 5G+
• Advanced IoT Communication Modules and ecosystem
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• Quantum Communications and security for 6G

• Fabless design in 6G Communication chipsets
• Photonics based SoCs
• Intelligent Reflector Surfaces
• Spectrum sharing technologies

6.7. Creating mechanisms to sustain R&D in long term

• Ensure flexible and full funding for technology companies through all possible instruments (including
grants, loans focused venture capital fund and fund of funds) on flexible and liberate terms
• Incentivize service providers to try domestic technology products ongoingly
• Handhold in access to market for the quality domestic Technology products in Universal Service
Obligation Fund (USOF) tenders, public sector procurements in all models

Structure of above programs and initiatives is tabulated in later sections.

7. Global Thoughts on 6G Actions and Funding (Wilson Centre)

The task force explored different funding models in Europe, USA in public and private for global practices
especially regarding 6G Technologies.

• Creation of easy-to-use funding mechanisms for research and testbeds to maintain pace within leading
countries and secure leadership in 6G technology.
• Driving a 6G eco-system development, leveraging research, industry and university collaboration
programs and standardization.
• Incentivize advanced manufacturing in relevant markets, secure integrity of supply chains and
decrease concentration of strategic capabilities and dependencies on high-risk countries
• Incentivize operators and vertical industries to adopt 6G.

Figure 5 Global 6G Initiative; Source: Ericsson

From today’s vantage point, the development of 6G may take place in a charged geopolitical climate among leading economic
powers with technology, and telecom in particular, in the spotlight. This climate creates new threats and opportunities.
Whereas the ramp-up to 4G and 5G occurred under the foregone conclusion of a single global standard, 6G may face the
dreaded (to us) standard and market fragmentation scenario. A major opportunity is increased funding for research, evidenced
by the endless frontier act under discussion in Congress.
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Figure 6 NextG Alliance Roadmap

Some of the specific funding mechanism in EU, USA are presented in Annexure 2, 3.

8. Programs and Funding Models

Phase I: 5-7 Years
• Creation of easy-to-use funding mechanisms for research and testbeds to maintain pace within leading
countries and secure leadership in 6G technology.
• Driving a 6G eco-system development, leveraging research, industry and university collaboration
programs and standardization.

# Area Partners Remarks

1.0 Workshops and Competency Industry, RI (Research 50 Workshops (over 5 years)

identification exercise Institutes) and Academia

1.1 Research Projects, Prototyping on Industry, RI, and Identify With clarity on IPRs
6G Technologies Academia ownership and licensing
framework

1.2 International Joint Projects EU, Japan, Korea, US Structure & Funding
Partnerships (QUAD; EU, Korea,
Japan – JWGs)

1.3 Testbeds, Prototypes in Industry Industry, RI, and Build SEPs and
with Academia Partnership (Lab, Academia ‘Commercialization’
City)
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# Area Partners Remarks

1.4 PoC, Consortium Program of Industry, RI, and End to end system
Technology Development Academia development and proliferation

1.5 Standards Development & TEC, TSDSI, Industry, RI, Clear objective to build SEPs.
Participation and Academia Excluding Startup Activities.

1.6 High Impact / Strategic Projects Industry, RI, Academia

1.7 Drafting Program architecture External Agency Engage Professional Agency

1.8 Drafting of T&C and Agreements External Agency Engage professional legal
agency

1.9 6G Program Office In DoT Staffed with professionals

Phase II (Post 2025)

• Incentivize advanced manufacturing in relevant markets, secure integrity of supply chains and
decrease concentration of strategic capabilities and dependencies on high-risk countries
• Incentivize operators and vertical industries to adopt 6G.
# Area

2.1 PLI, DLI Schemes to promote and proliferate technologies, products developed

2.2 Incentivize operators

2.3 Set up Use case labs

2.4 Hackathons on Use cases

2.5 Experience Centers

2.6 Incentivize vertical industries to adopt 6G

9. Eligibility for Availing Funding under the Program

Any of the following Indian entities which can contribute to the cause of enhanced and affordable rural
connectivity is eligible for support from this fund.

• ‘Domestic Company(ies)’ with focus on telecom research and development.

• Indian Academic institutions.
• R&D institutions, Section 8 companies / Societies with focus on telecom research and development; or
• Collaborative joint / consortium of above entities with Indian or international partners as the case may
be.
Definition of above entities is elaborated in the annexure 5.
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10. Funding models Proposed

10.1. Grants in aid up to Rs. 20 Cr
• Grant in aid is envisaged to service funding requirements from small to medium projects in the
development of technology, products, research, solutions, integrated proposals, hosting workshops /
events / conferences, small size international joint projects, standards participation, participation &
collaboration in in 6G product events, standardization activities.
• The grants are aimed to service research and development activity in all TRL levels as the case may be
considering that 6G activities could be new or upgradation from earlier capabilities as well.

10.2. Grants in aid for High Impact Projects above Rs. 20 Cr

• These are large projects where funding requirements are high to develop cutting edge technologies
with end-to-end solution as the focus. They include high impacting R&D projects such as Testbeds,
Communication Systems, Development of System on Chips / AI chipsets for Communications, Deep
technologies, large size international joint projects, hosting international conference in India etc.
• Consortium projects which require development, hardening, technology demonstration, product
integration and extensive interoperability testing to deliver an end-to-end product portfolio would also
be considered under this segment. It may include largescale technology trials to make the products
carrier grade and ready for market deployment.
• These high impact projects, generally, are envisaged to be driven in collaboration with industry,
Academia, or other agencies such as R&D focused Society / Section 8 company / Research Institutions
such as C DoT.

10.3. Partial grants and loans

• These are partial grants where funding requirements are high, to develop cutting edge technologies,
high impacting R&D including development of System on Chips / AI chipsets for Communications, deep
technologies etc.
• The amount in excess of Rs 20 Cr could be considered as soft loan after commercialization of the
technology / product in instalments that are linked to risk-associated milestones. This is in order to
facilitate and circulate the available funding for the R&D ecosystem once the products / technologies
are successfully commercialized.
• Soft loans as one of the funding options may be considered on very liberal terms without any collateral
to enable the creation of working capital for commencing production, execution of purchase orders,
commercialization activities, extension of phased programs and expansion of R&D facilities without
any collateral.

10.4. VC Funding for industry

In view of the need for risk funding, such modes also to be facilitated through an exclusive VC fund for 6G
and fund of funds (further elaborated under section 10).
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11. Mechanisms for vetting R&D budget proposals under the 6G Mission
Different mechanisms are considered for the purpose to make funds available through different
instruments as envisaged above. Considering the large outlay, flexibility, transparency, quicker outcomes,
expert participation, need for a large capital pool, high risk projects etc., the following models may be
considered.

• Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) in DoT

An IMC with experts and representatives from relevant ministries could be constituted at appropriate level
depending on the quantum of funding to vet, approve and implement the programs. The PMU (Program
Management Unit) function could be managed by TCOE India, considering the success of its execution
under DCIS funding initiative. An indicative administrative structure of IMC is at Annexure5.

• Restructured TCoE India to manage the programs

There is an opportunity to position TCoE India, a society created under DoT, with suitable accountability
structures and professional staffing to manage the fund. Expert Governing committees could be formed in
TCoE to provide guidance and direction for different 6G initiatives.

• Separate Section 8 company for 6G

In lieu of option 2 above, considering the size of 6G funding and need to efficiently manage it for the next
ten years, a separate section 8 company may also be constituted for 6G and for overall R&D and
commercialization program under DoT.

• Leverage any section 8 company of other departments

It may also be considered to identify any other established Section 8 company or public agency, with
expertise in managing R&D programs in next generation technologies for the purpose in place of option
under 3 above. It is also possible that 6G program cuts across platforms, some initiatives of 6G could also
be given to other agencies if they have already developed expertise in similar programs to enable synergies
and strengthen the created competencies.

11.1. High Risk Funding Instruments

To promote innovation driven high-risk ventures, a Telecom VC Fund and Fund of Funds are also
envisaged as below.
• 6G VC Fund
A focused 6G VC fund with corpus in partnership with public entities may be constituted to enable financing
instruments including equity with fund life of 10 years (further extendable by two years) taking note of 2035
timeline for risk funding to develop 6G products and commercialization.

With an anchor contribution from DoT, and the rest from identified public VC fund partners could be
envisaged in line with successfully executed MeitY VC fund National Fund for Software and IT.

• ‘Telecom Fund of Funds for Start-ups, MSMEs’

To enable pooling of larger capital necessary for telecom gear development with focus on Start-ups,
MSMEs a Telecom Fund of Funds may be considered inviting partnership from industry and private led VCs
with an annual anchor contribution from DoT for five (5) years.
 169

Any Public Financial Institution with a successful track record in Promotion, Financing and Development of
the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector may be identified as the implementation agency
to prepare a blueprint and drive the fund of funds. E.g., Start-up India fund of funds.

While the decisions for structures under options 3, 5, 6 above may take time and procedures involved, the
options under 1, 2, 4 may be immediately used to invite the projects for 6G initiative.

Indicative process of evaluation for funding needs is indicated under Annexure 6.

Annexure 1: Funding mechanism under other ministries

Figure 7: Funding mechanism under different entities

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Annexure 2: Europe’s first large-scale 6G Research and Innovation Programme

EU created Joint Undertaking on Smart Networks and Services towards 6G (SNS JU) adopted its first Work
Programme 2021-2022 with an earmarked public funding of about € 240 million.

The Work Programme 2021-2022 will fund activities ranging from 5G evolution including large-scale trials
and pilots with vertical industries to frontier research towards 6G systems.

The European partnership on Smart Networks and Services (SNS), a Joint Undertaking co-led by industry
and the Commission with close involvement of Member States, sets the strategic R&I roadmap for Europe.
The initiative builds on an EU contribution of €900 million over the next 7 years to be matched by the private
sector with the same amount. The aim is to enable European players to build the R&I capacities for 6G
systems and develop lead markets for 5G infrastructure as a basis for the digital and green transformation.

The SNS Work Programme was adopted by the SNS JU Governing Board and will be the basis for Calls for
Proposals to be launched early 2022. It sets out four main complementary work streams:

• Stream A (RIA): Smart communication components, systems, and networks for 5G Evolution systems.
• Stream B (RIA): Research for radical technology advancement (in preparation for 6G and radical
advancements of IoT, devices and software).
• Stream C (RIA): SNS Enablers and Proof of Concept (PoCs), including development of experimental
infrastructure(s) that could be further used during later phases of SNS.
• Stream D (IA): Large Scale SNS Trials and Pilots with Verticals, including the required infrastructure to
explore and demonstrate technologies and advanced applications as well as advanced services in the
vertical domains.

These four Streams will be complemented by SNS Support Actions (CSA) to support EU wide synergies and
directionality as well as international cooperation.

This Work Programme 2021-2022 builds the first phase of the SNS roadmap and will expand the early wave
of European 6G projects launched in January 2021 under the 5G-PPP. The four Streams will evolve into
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new frontier research, proof of concept, standardisation, and deployment in subsequent phases or open
new opportunities for technology development across the broader supply chain such as microelectronics
or cloud-based service provisioning.

The Council Regulation 2021/2085 establishing the SNS JU entered into force. The SNS JU enables the
pooling of an EU contribution of €900 million for the period 2021-2027 with industrial resources of at least
the same amount. It also fosters alignment with Member States concerning national funding programmes
on 5G and 6G. The SNS JU has the ambitious mission for driving the 5G evolution as basis for the digital
and green transition and building Europe’s technological capacities for 6G systems, which are expected for
commercial launch at the end of this decade.

Deep pockets for 6G

The data also suggest that the EU has become more willing to invest in 6G research in recent years.
Between 2017 and 2019, Horizon 2020 provided an average of €3.07 million per programme for 6G. In 2020
and 2021, this figure doubled – on average, each initiative received around €6.13 million in funding.
However, more money on the table doesn’t mean companies have been given financial resources at the
same pace. The EU granted an average of €359,754.64 per participant in projects from 2017 through 2019.
The figure grew to €443,756.30 for initiatives launched in 2020 and 2021, a 23% increase.

A two-year journey
This event is the culmination of an interesting journey over the last couple of years:

• We started with initial discussions among a handful of like-minded technical experts in industry about
the need to energize and coalesce US research efforts on 6G.
• This was followed with individual contacts with NSF, which became a more structured group
preparation for a smaller partnership with four companies. One potential partner had to drop out and
we were set to proceed with three, and we settled on the themes of the solicitation, namely resilience
and enabling technologies.
• There was a surge of interest at what seemed to be the last moment from both industry and
government, and we ended up with a much larger partnership, composed of nine industrial partners
(Ericsson, Apple, Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Nokia, Qualcomm, and VMware), and three government
partners (NSF, Department of Defence and National Institute of Standards and Technology).
• After another round of discussions to further shape the solicitation content with inputs from all the
additional partners, we were finally ready to go. The total funding budget is $40 million, with each
project receiving about $1 million over three years.
• The solicitation went out in April 2021, and over 200 proposals were received. After extensive reviews
by NSF panels, and further inputs from industry partners, eventually 37 proposals were selected for
funding.

Annexure 3: Resilient & Intelligent NextG Systems (RINGS)

National Science Foundation (USA)

The RINGS program seeks to accelerate research in areas that will potentially have significant impact on
emerging Next Generation (NextG) wireless and mobile communication, networking, sensing, and
computing systems, along with global-scale services, with a focus on greatly improving the resiliency of
such networked systems among other performance metrics. Modern communication devices, systems,
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and networks are expected to support a broad range of critical and essential services, incorporating
computation, coordination, and intelligent decision making. Resiliency of such systems, which subsumes
security, adaptability, and autonomy, will be a key driving factor for future NextG network systems.
Resiliency in both design and operations ensures robust network and computing capabilities that exhibit
graceful performance- and service-degradation with rapid adaptability under even extreme operating
scenarios. The RINGS program seeks innovations to enhance both resiliency as well as performance across
the various aspects of NextG communications, networking, and computing systems. This program seeks
to go beyond the current research portfolio within the individual participating directorates by
simultaneously emphasizing gains in resiliency (through security, adaptability and/or autonomy) across all
layers of the networking protocol and computation stacks as well as in throughput, latency, and connection
density.

In this program, NSF is partnering with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Research and
Engineering (OUSD R&E), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and several industry
partners shown above. This program seeks to fund collaborative team research that transcends the
traditional boundaries of individual disciplines to achieve the program goals.

Annexure 4: Approval structure

i. Secretary, DoT Chairperson
ii. Member (Technology), DCC / Member Finance / Additional Members
Secretary, DoT
iii. JS Level Representative from NITI Aayog Member
iv. JS Level Representative from Ministry of Electronics & IT Member
v Executive Director, C-DOT Member
vi Director, USoF Member- Convener

vii Any other JS level representative(s) from Central Government Members

Ministry/ Department/ Organization may be co-opted with the
approval of Chairperson
viii One Member each from Industry, Academia, and VC to be opted Members
by the Chair

• TCoE India as the PMU, applications may be invited for 6G activities.

• The current DCIS guidelines format may be revised to take note of various activities identified for 6G
including standards participation.
• It may further be structured depending on the quantum of project fund.

Annexure 5: Definitions
• Applicant for the program is a legal entity including Private Company, Society, Section 8 Company,
Academia, Research Institution etc., making an application for seeking fiscal support under the
Scheme.
• Domestic Company is defined as those which are owned by resident Indian citizens as defined in the
FDI Circular of 2017. A company is considered as ‘Owned’ by resident Indian citizens if more than 50%
of the capital in it is beneficially owned by resident Indian citizens and / or Indian companies, which are
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ultimately owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens. Having incorporated in India with DSIR
approval as an R&D house, it should hold IP ownership in India and majority of team and R&D should
be located in India.
• MSME shall be defined as per the Gazette Notification by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises, dated 1st June 2020 or extant norms.
• Start-up shall be defined as per the DPIIT notification dated 19th February 2019 or extant norms.
• Technology Domains: Hardware, Software, Solution development in Telecom sector. Specific products,
inter alia, are elaborated under Section 4.
• TRL Level: Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), as per global standards, are a type of measurement
system used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology.

Annexure 6: Indicative Process of Evaluation for funding

1. What is the Selection Process for Funds Allocation?
Step 1: Evaluation Committee to be formed – distinguished committee of experts, who can be further
supported by experts in niche areas of research
Step 2: Committee to review the following and provide rating
o Correctness of background data and accuracy
o relevance and appropriateness
o originality / validate newness / against existing patents
o clarity of business case or demonstration of concept for R&D funds
o Sustainability
o Credibility of people, their track record
Step 3: Based on review findings and recommendations, the R&D Technical Evaluation Committee will
select the proposals.

2. How do we fund thru the phases of R&D?

• Allocating funds thru the R&D value chain
o Idea to Research to Prototype Development to Commercialization
• Agile methodology
o Phase-wise Backlogs – how are resources expended in the flows between the phase backlogs –
idea backlog to research backlog to development backlog to commercialization backlog
• Projects moving to commercialization.

3. How will we monitor the funds utilization?

Implementation and Monitoring can be further digitised based on reports submitted directly in the portal
by the grant recipients, augmented by periodic audits facilitated by designated people / sub-committee of
the Governance Board.
• Monitoring framework right from inception stage
• Periodic Project performance reports
• Formal mid-term reviews
• Accommodate CRs if it makes sense
• Completion report on project completion to be reviewed and validated against
o impact created (high speed broadband connectivity)
 174

o outcomes (affordable and inclusive for rural areas)

o outputs (quality of services proving at scale)
o overall Patents/ IPs created.
o Success of commercialisation.

4. Proposed Grant Management Cycle

40 6G VISION

9
Constitution of the 6G TIG

With the start of taking a distinct lead in the

implementation of 5G 6G space, we would require
technology, telecom a collaborative effort from
community in various parts the government, industry,
of the world has started to TSPs, academia, research
actively look at emerging institutions etc. to identify
new use cases, future the areas of work and build
technologies to support synergies to innovate,
such use cases, and standardize, run pilots,
requirements for 6G. For manufacture, test and
India to effectively achieve supply at a global scale.
its mission and vision of
 41

To bring out the vision, mission, goals and a roadmap for India in 6G space, a “Technology Innovation Group on
6G” (TIG6) was constituted with following members:

Sl No. Designation/Organisation Position

1 Secretary (Telecom) Chairperson
2 SS(T)/AS(T) Member
3 Member (Technology) Member
4 Member (Services) Member
5 Advisor/Sr.DDG (TEC) Member
6 Wireless Advisor Member
7 JS(T),DoT Member
8 Signals Officer-in Chief, Integrated Army Member
9 Chairman, TSDSI Member
10 Director, IIT, Madras Member
11 Director, IIT, Kanpur Member
12 Director, IIT, Hyderabad Member
13 Director, IIT, Delhi Member
14 Director, IISc, Bangalore Member
15 Chairman, COAI Member
16 ED, C DoT Member
17 DDG (SRI) Member
18 DDG (Security Assurance-1) Member
19 DDG (IR) Member
20 JS level, MEITY Member
21 JS level, DST Member
22 JS level, Department of Space Member
23 DDG (IC) Member Secretary

Following terms of reference were given to the TIG6: The Group was asked to constitute Steering
Committees with experts from various domains and
a. Define Vision, Mission and Goals for 6G in India
work towards finalization of the First report on 6G
b. Identify the areas of work and build synergies to Vision, Mission and Goals by March 2022. This report
innovate, run pilots, manufacture, test and supply at is a result of all the deliberations and the groundwork
a global scale conducted by the TIG.
c. Develop a roadmap for R&D, pre-standardisation, (Office Memorandum dated 1st November 2021, as
development of products and applications; and amended on 26th November and 30th December
d. Evaluate, approve roadmaps & action plans for 2021)
6G.
42 6G VISION
43
44 6G VISION

Notes
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46 6G VISION

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Zaie / Freepik, Studiogstock / Freepik, Macrovector / Freepik, Tartila / Freepik, Starline / Freepik,
Kreativkolors / Freepik, Rawpixel.com / Freepik