India among early leaders in 6G development

Likely to be launched by 2030, the 6G is expected to deliver highly immersive augmented experiences and unprecedented levels of connectivity

Have you seen the movie, Agent Cody Banks? The hero, Cody Banks played by Frankie Muniz, tries to shut off the hologram image of his handler Ronica Miles played by Angie Harmon toward the end of the movie. Although this type of video conferencing technology comes closer to mimicking face-to-face interactions, there are still imperfections in human hologram technology.

6G will require the combination of all frequency ranges, from low to extremely high bands, to meet coverage and capacity requirements.

As the world looks beyond 5G and towards a higher level of cyber-physical integration, like in the case of holographic communication, Stuart Cooke, the Chair of the GSA Global Spectrum Team, provided an update on evolving telecom technology standard at the 6G Global Summit 2023 in Bahrain. The 6G rollout will enhance extreme connectivity and immersive augmented experiences, with the target year of 2030.

Each generation of IMT/3GPP enriches the user experience. The 5G brought high-speed eMBB and vertical services in 2019. Likewise, 6G is expected to bring extreme connectivity and immersive augmented experiences from 2030 onwards.

Looking at IMT/3GPP spectrum requirements for 2020-2030, 5G licensing and rollouts are underway, with some countries planning 5G expansion spectrum in the timeframe of 2023/25. Globally, 6G research is also accelerating. ITU-R has planned deliverables and a work plan in place to enable IMT-2030/6G standards to be completed by 2030 in cooperation with external organisations such as 3GPP.

Many activities are planned for 6G ITU-R IMT-2030, with WRC-23 focusing on technical performance requirements, evaluation criteria and methodology, requirements, and submission templates. Under WRC-27, technology proposals for IMT-2030 will be evaluated, building consensus, and deciding on outcomes and specifications.

Under WRC-27, technology proposals for IMT-2030 will be evaluated, building consensus, and deciding on outcomes and specifications.

Globally, there are numerous 6G research frameworks and strategies being developed. These include the China Academy of ICT (CAICT), Hexa-X in Europe, Beyond 5G Promotion Consortium (B5GPC) in Japan, DoT’s Bharat 6G Alliance in India, ITU in Korea, and the NextG Alliance in the USA.

For example, the UK Government announced the UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy in April 2023, which includes an indicative roadmap for 6G. The UK plans to research, develop, and deploy 6G technologies by 2028-2030.

Regarding 6G, the essential new spectrum will be available from the 7GHz to 24GHz, up to 71GHz bands. There will be technology evolution and reuse of existing spectrum ranges, and new complementary 6G ranges should be available from 92 GHz, sub-THz, and 275 GHz bands. Frequency bands from within these ranges will need to be considered for further study, taking into account the sharing possibilities of IMT with other radiocommunication services allocated on a primary basis. Lower frequencies within the essential range are better in terms of propagation, cell size, and economic network deployments. The IMT agenda item for the WRC-27 is a key step toward a successful device ecosystem and economies of scale for 6G.

India ahead

While India was late on its 5G journey and the country started rolling it out only in October 2022, the country has surprised many with its recently announced 6G Vision document. Another example of India’s focus on sixth-generation technology is the Bharat 6G Alliance. Its mission is to design, deploy, and develop 6G network technologies that provide ubiquitous, secure, and intelligent connectivity for a high-quality living experience for people around the world. The task forces include multi-platform next-generation networks, multi-disciplinary innovative solutions, spectrum policy, financing R&D, devices, and international standards contributions.

The objectives are to facilitate and finance R&D, design, and development of 6G technologies by Indian startups, companies, research bodies, and universities. This will enable India to become a leading global supplier of IP, products, and solutions for affordable 6G telecom solutions. India can deploy 6G technologies as a powerful force multiplier for India@2030. This will enable an inclusive and significant enhancement in the quality of living experience for citizens in India and around the world.

Phase 1 will be from 2023 to 2025, during which India will explore ideas, risky pathways, and proof-of-concept tests. Phase 2 will be from 2026 to 2030. India will look to develop ideas and concepts that show promise and potential for acceptance by the global peer community. They can establish use cases and benefits, create IP, and set up test beds for commercialisation.

Wide-area mobile 6G apps

One important question about the development of 6G networks is how much spectrum will be necessary to support wide-area mobile applications such as immersive XR, mobile holograms, and communication and sensing technologies. Wide-area use cases will require different frequency ranges, such as XR in 1GHz, holographic communications in 1.1GHz, and sensing and communication in 0.3-0.5GHz.

According to preliminary analysis, each network will require an additional 500-750MHz of the wide-area spectrum, in addition to the re-use of the existing spectrum. However, this figure will depend on the mid-band spectrum already available for IMT and the number of networks in each country.

In conclusion, 6G research is progressing rapidly, and the IMT 2030/6G standards should be finalised by ITU-R Working Party 5D by 2030, in collaboration with external organisations such as 3GPP. The goal is to commercialise 6G around 2030 and beyond.

Bharat 6G Alliance aims to design, deploy, and develop 6G network technologies for a high-quality living experience for people around the world.

As mobile broadband traffic and spectrum needs continue to grow, 6G will require the combination of all frequency ranges, from low to extremely high bands, to meet coverage and capacity requirements and serve new and emerging use cases. In addition to the existing spectrum, the new spectrum from within the essential range of 7-24GHz and the complementary sub-THz range should be considered. At this early stage of 6G development and design, co-existence needs must also be considered.

Global and regional harmonisation in terms of spectrum, standards, and timing will remain critical. The GSA is ready to assist in the development of a 6G strategy and provide technical support for a potential WRC-27 IMT agenda item in cooperation with other national and regional organisations.

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