Bharat 6G Alliance progress on track, 6G standards may crystallise by 2027–28: Telecom Minister Scindia

Scindia stressed that, unlike in 4G and 5G, where India had no say in standard-setting, the country has moved early on 6G.

Telecom minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said he has reviewed the progress of seven vertical groups under the Bharat 6G Alliance, stressing that India is an early mover in 6G and will play an active role in standard- and protocol-setting through global bodies such as ITU and 3GPP.

Scindia stressed that, unlike in 4G and 5G, where India had no say in standard-setting, the country has moved early on 6G. “We didn’t have a seat at the table for 4G. We didn’t have a seat at the table for 5G. However, we are early movers in the 6G space. We are going to be part of that standard-setting and protocol-setting process,” he said.

He noted that 6G is still in the articulation phase, with protocols and standards expected to take five to seven years to crystallise. India, he said, is already contributing with “two or three propositions” such as ubiquitous networks being accepted at the global level. “I just reviewed the seven verticals last week. We are also preparing a separate Gantt chart to track progress so that we can contribute effectively once the standards are finalised,” Scindia added.

While global bodies like the ITU and 3GPP have yet to set firm timelines, Scindia said he expects standards to be in place by 2027–28, after which 6G could move into pre-execution.

On satellite communications, the minister said the regulatory framework is being finalised, with three licences already issued. “I am very confident that our market should double in the next couple of years,” he said.

Responding to industry body Broadband India Forum’s demand to classify satellite communications as a distinct service under the new telecom authorisation framework, Scindia said the issue would be taken up by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). “I don’t interfere with the regulator’s mandate,” he noted.