A generation ago, India’s telecom story was one of quiet perseverance—catching up in the global race for connectivity. Today, that story has been rewritten. No longer content to follow, India is stepping forward to lead the world into the next frontier of communication. At the International 6G Symposium 2025 in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the vision clearly: India aims “not just to consume technology, but to co-create and co-lead the 6G revolution for the world.” This ambition now drives everything from rural connectivity to satellite networks, ushering in a new era of digital empowerment for Bharat.
India’s pursuit of 6G leadership began with the realization that digital self-reliance is both a strategic necessity and a social imperative. From deploying over one lakh indigenous 4G towers to developing its own core 4G stack, the country built a resilient foundation for innovation. Where 4G represented catching up, 6G represents co-creation—India’s shift from being a participant to becoming a pioneer in designing affordable, sustainable, and globally competitive communication systems. Startups, academia, and industry giants have joined forces, developing not only faster and smarter telecom solutions but also shaping the very standards that define the global industry.
At the heart of this ecosystem lies the Bharat 6G Alliance—a coalition of over eighty organizations, including thirty-plus startups, working together to transform India’s 6G dream into reality. Their collaborations stretch beyond borders, with agreements signed with partners in the US, Europe, Japan, Korea, and Brazil. The Alliance’s working groups explore frontiers such as green networks, resilient supply chains, and AI-driven intelligent connectivity—infusing a swadeshi spirit into global innovation.
The movement is not confined to policy circles—it is unfolding on the ground. More than 115 R&D projects worth over ₹310 crore have been sanctioned through the Telecom Technology Development Fund, supporting work on next-generation spectrum management, advanced IoT, and smart networking solutions. The establishment of 100 5G labs in universities and colleges ensures that India’s next generation of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs is equipped for the 6G era. These labs are empowering students, startups, and MSMEs alike—turning campuses into innovation hubs and ensuring that the future of communication is made in India, for the world.
India’s 6G vision goes beyond speed and sophistication—it is about inclusion. The New Delhi Declaration at the 2025 Symposium emphasized that 6G networks must be trusted, secure, open, interoperable, and affordable. The government’s focus on integrating terrestrial, satellite, and high-altitude platforms ensures genuine connectivity for all—bringing ultra-fast, real-time, and intelligent experiences not just to cities but to the remotest villages.
Global collaboration is central to this mission. Memorandums of Understanding with NASSCOM and the European Space Agency are advancing cross-border research and innovation. At the Technology Innovation Hub in IIIT Bangalore, researchers are building the building blocks of the future—reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, massive MIMO antennas, and advanced communication architectures that will power 5G Advanced and 6G networks. The technologies being designed for India’s diverse needs are poised to serve the world.
By 2035, India aims to contribute 10% of all global 6G patents, potentially adding $1.2 trillion to the national GDP. The satellite communication sector is projected to triple in size, bridging rural and urban India and linking local innovation with global markets. This transformation is redefining India’s role—from technology adopter to global innovator—realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat where digital access is universal and innovation is homegrown.
What lies ahead is not merely a faster network—it is a new digital paradigm. India’s 6G journey, powered by indigenous innovation and global collaboration, represents more than technological progress. It is the story of a nation reimagining its digital destiny—and leading the world toward a more connected, inclusive, and intelligent future.
