Context: Department of Telecommunications under Ministry of Communications has launched Bharat 6G Alliance to drive innovation and collaboration in next-generation wireless technology.
Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)
- It is a collaborative platform consisting of public & private companies, academia, research institutions and standards development organisations to drive the design, development and deployment of 6G technologies in India.
- This body is expected to promote universal and affordable connectivity, technology ownership and indigenous manufacturing, creating a culture of technology innovation, reducing imports, boost exports and augment creation of IPR around 6G technology and systems.
Objectives of Bharat 6G Alliance
- Understand the business and societal needs of 6G beyond technology requirements, foster consensus on these needs and promote high impact open R&D initiatives.
- Positioning India at forefront of 6G innovation: Accelerate 6G standards related patent creation in India and actively contribute to international standardisation organisations such as 3GPP & ITU.
- Forge coalitions and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Facilitate market access for Indian telecom technology products and services.
Grants from Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)
- 6G Terrahertz testbed with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) & Multiplexing through consortium of SAMEER, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati & IIT Patna.
About Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)
- TTDF scheme was launched by Department of Telecommunications in 2022.
- Under the scheme, 5% of annual collections from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) will be available for TTDF scheme for funding R&D of technologies, products and services.
- Grants are given out of TTDF to Indian entities to encourage and induct indigenous technologies tailor made to meet domestic needs. Funds will also be used to develop standards to meet countrywide requirements and create ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, use cases, pilots and proof of concept testing etc.
- The scheme is envisaged to bridge digital divide by developing and manufacturing state of art technologies to form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutions and industry to build and develop telecom ecosystem.
