India Joins the 6G Race: Nokia and IISc Partner for Research Leadership

Bengaluru, India: In a major boost to India’s ambition to become a leader in 6G technology, telecom giant Nokia announced a partnership with the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on Friday. This collaboration aims to jointly research 6G technologies and their application in areas crucial to India’s social and economic development.

The partnership will leverage Nokia’s newly established 6G Lab in Bengaluru, where researchers from both institutions will focus on three key areas:

• 6G Radio Technologies: Developing cutting-edge solutions for ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity.
• 6G Architecture: Designing advanced network architectures tailored to India’s unique infrastructure and needs.
• 6G Air Interface with Machine Learning: Integrating AI capabilities for enhanced network intelligence and optimization.

This joint effort will not only contribute to the global 6G technology and standards ecosystem but also prioritize use cases relevant to India’s specific challenges and opportunities. These include:

• Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Communications: Building greener networks with reduced energy consumption.
• Resilient and Reliable Critical Communications: Ensuring robust networks for vital services like healthcare and disaster response.
• AI-Powered “Network as Sensor” Technologies: Leveraging network data to improve transportation safety, healthcare delivery, and educational access.

Commenting on the partnership, Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Nokia, said: “India’s role in the global telecommunications landscape is undeniable. We are honored to collaborate with the brightest minds at IISc to ensure 6G becomes a transformative force for the Indian economy.”

Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are privileged to contribute to India’s 6G aspirations, as outlined in the Bharat 6G Vision Document. This partnership will empower India to become a front-line player in designing, developing, and deploying 6G technology by 2030.”

This collaboration aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India as a leader in 6G technology. His government unveiled the Bharat 6G Vision Document and launched the 6G R&D Test Bed in March 2023, highlighting India’s commitment to shaping the future of telecommunications.

By combining Nokia’s expertise in 6G research with IISc’s academic excellence, this partnership holds immense potential to accelerate India’s 6G journey and create a more connected, sustainable, and equitable future for its citizens.