New chip units to be key cog in India's 6G localization strategy
By Kalyan Parbat, ET Bureau
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2024, 03:23:00 PM IST
The government will capitalize on the upcoming semiconductor manufacturing units in Assam and Gujarat to drive local production of sixth-generation network hardware, including advanced chipsets that will be used for running 6G mobile broadband networks.
The move is part of India’s strategy to boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative, with an aim to cut dependence on imported telecom network hardware and enhance national security, senior government officials said.
“A critical component of India's 6G strategy is local development and production of advanced chipsets that will enable devices to process and transmit data efficiently…the importance of cutting-edge chipsets cannot be overstated for 6G technology, which promises ultra-high-speed connectivity and low latency,” one of the officials told ET.
The advent of 6G technology is slated to increase the demand for semiconductors, especially since advanced chipsets typically offer superior performance and energy efficiency.
Since the 6G technology product chain will involve a complex network of suppliers, manufacturers and service providers, the government is taking steps to encourage collaborations among the Centre, academia and industry to drive investments across the entire product chain — from raw materials to finished products, the official said.
6G wireless broadband technology is slated to arrive globally, including in India, by 2030 and is expected to pave the way for faster artificial intelligence-powered broadband networks with data speeds over 100 times faster than 5G. 6G is also expected to leverage terahertz frequencies, offering significantly wider bandwidths than 5G.
The decision to locally manufacture 6G technology chipsets comes at a time when the government, via initiatives like the Semiconductor Mission, has outlined ambitions to establish a robust local semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
The Union Cabinet has already given its clearance to set up multiple semiconductor units, including by Tata Electronics in Dholera (Gujarat), CG Power in Sanand (Gujarat) and Kayes Semiconductor Pvt Ltd (also in Sanand, Gujarat). Another mega semiconductor unit, backed by Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test Pvt Ltd, is coming up at Morigaon, Assam.
This apart, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is driving multiple 6G-focused R&D projects with a total allocation of Rs 650 crore. These include 111 approved-research proposals, costing roughly Rs 239 crore, for promoting a 6G network ecosystem, and another 19 projects, backed by the Telecom Technology Development Fund, focusing on advancing 5G and paving the way for 6G. Separately, the Department of Science and Technology is funding advanced communication systems focused on 6G.
Senior DoT officials, meanwhile, downplayed recent concerns around India’s challenges in securing large funding for 6G R&D and upgrading existing 4G/5G networks to support 6G wireless broadband technology.
“India's 6G ambitions are not solely defined by budget allocations but by a comprehensive strategy that includes fostering innovation, building infrastructure and developing a skilled workforce,” said a DoT spokesperson.
Another government official said India's approach to 6G development is more strategic, in that, the Centre is adopting a more comprehensive approach to foster a robust end-to-end telecom product ecosystem with a strong emphasis on Make in India.
Global professional services firm Grant Thornton, in a recent report, said India faced significant challenges in pursuing 6G leadership, particularly in infrastructure-readiness and securing adequate funding for R&D.
Industry experts believe the modest Rs 400 crore FY25 budgetary allocation to DoT for telecom R&D may not be adequate to realize the government’s aspirations to have Indian entities own at least 10% of 6G patents globally by 2030.
New chip units to be key cog in India's 6G localisation strategy
By Kalyan Parbat, ET Bureau
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2024, 03:23:00 PM IST
Synopsis
India is leveraging new semiconductor plants in Assam and Gujarat to produce 6G network hardware domestically. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports, bolster national security, and drive the 'Make in India' program. The government is encouraging collaborations across industry and academia to develop a complete 6G product chain, from materials to finished goods, anticipating 6G's arrival by 2030.
India is leveraging new semiconductor plants in Assam and Gujarat to produce 6G network hardware domestically. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports, bolster national security, and drive the 'Make in India' program. The government is encouraging collaborations across industry and academia to develop a complete 6G product chain, from materials to finished goods, anticipating 6G's arrival by 2030.
The government will capitalize on the upcoming semiconductor manufacturing units in Assam and Gujarat to drive local production of sixth-generation network hardware, including advanced chipsets that will be used for running 6G mobile broadband networks.
The move is part of India’s strategy to boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative, with an aim to cut dependence on imported telecom network hardware and enhance national security, senior government officials said.
“A critical component of India's 6G strategy is local development and production of advanced chipsets that will enable devices to process and transmit data efficiently…the importance of cutting-edge chipsets cannot be overstated for 6G technology, which promises ultra-high-speed connectivity and low latency,” one of the officials told ET.
The advent of 6G technology is slated to increase the demand for semiconductors, especially since advanced chipsets typically offer superior performance and energy efficiency.
Since the 6G technology product chain will involve a complex network of suppliers, manufacturers and service providers, the government is taking steps to encourage collaborations among the Centre, academia and industry to drive investments across the entire product chain — from raw materials to finished products, the official said.
6G wireless broadband technology is slated to arrive globally, including in India, by 2030 and is expected to pave the way for faster artificial intelligence-powered broadband networks with data speeds over 100 times faster than 5G. 6G is also expected to leverage terahertz frequencies, offering significantly wider bandwidths than 5G.
The decision to locally manufacture 6G technology chipsets comes at a time when the government, via initiatives like the Semiconductor Mission, has outlined ambitions to establish a robust local semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
The Union Cabinet has already given its clearance to set up multiple semiconductor units, including by Tata Electronics in Dholera (Gujarat), CG Power in Sanand (Gujarat) and Kayes Semiconductor Pvt Ltd (also in Sanand, Gujarat). Another mega semiconductor unit, backed by Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test Pvt Ltd, is coming up at Morigaon, Assam.
This apart, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is driving multiple 6G-focused R&D projects with a total allocation of Rs 650 crore. These include 111 approved-research proposals, costing roughly Rs 239 crore, for promoting a 6G network ecosystem, and another 19 projects, backed by the Telecom Technology Development Fund, focusing on advancing 5G and paving the way for 6G. Separately, the Department of Science and Technology is funding advanced communication systems focused on 6G.
Senior DoT officials, meanwhile, downplayed recent concerns around India’s challenges in securing large funding for 6G R&D and upgrading existing 4G/5G networks to support 6G wireless broadband technology.
“India's 6G ambitions are not solely defined by budget allocations but by a comprehensive strategy that includes fostering innovation, building infrastructure and developing a skilled workforce,” said a DoT spokesperson.
Another government official said India's approach to 6G development is more strategic, in that, the Centre is adopting a more comprehensive approach to foster a robust end-to-end telecom product ecosystem with a strong emphasis on Make in India.
Global professional services firm Grant Thornton, in a recent report, said India faced significant challenges in pursuing 6G leadership, particularly in infrastructure-readiness and securing adequate funding for R&D.
Industry experts believe the modest Rs 400 crore FY25 budgetary allocation to DoT for telecom R&D may not be adequate to realize the government’s aspirations to have Indian entities own at least 10% of 6G patents globally by 2030.
New chip units to be key cog in India's 6G localisation strategy
