On August 23, 2024, the Union Minister for the Department of Telecom convened the second meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) for Telecom Service Providers. This assembly underscored the importance of tailoring research to meet India’s specific needs and establishing a robust standards community. Given India’s proactive strides, including the launch of the Bharat6G Vision and Bharat6G Alliance, along with the development of a patent and IPR support framework and the commissioning of testbeds, the nation is poised to aim for securing 10% of all global 6G patents and contributing to one-sixth of the international standards that promote India’s interests. In light of these ambitions, the SAC has outlined a three-year roadmap to reach these goals. This note seeks to assess the feasibility of these targets based on India’s experience with 5G, identifying potential challenges and opportunities, and exploring global references that could help lay a solid foundation for realizing these objectives.
India’s Past Experience in 5G Innovation
India’s journey in telecom innovation encompasses several key themes. Understanding these themes is crucial for future preparations, allowing us to learn from past experiences and avoid repeating mistakes. We’ll begin by addressing the specific challenges India aimed to solve.
