India’s first fully indigenous 4G (5G-ready) network has been deployed by BSNL and developed through collaboration between C-DOT, Tejas and TCS.
- This provides India the capability to quickly develop technologies for fast tracking adoption of 5G and laying foundation for 6G.
Significance of indigenous 4G Stack
- Strategic Autonomy: Empowers India to control its telecom infrastructure, therefore reducing dependency on foreign technologies and foreign vendors, and enhancing national security.
- Cloud native: Enables rapid upgrades, scalability and easier future migration path to 5G.
- Improving Accessibility: Expected to benefit tribal regions, remote villages, and hilly areas by providing access to quality digital services.
- Supply Chain Development: Localised manufacturing and deployment are creating employment, strengthening supplier ecosystems, and nurturing a skilled domestic workforce.
- Technological Capability: With this, India is now among the select five nations globally with the capability to launch fully indigenous 4G services.
5G and 6G Technologies in India
- Launched in 2022, 5G network has been rolled out in all states and UTs and is available in most of the districts across the country.
- Currently, 6G technology is under development phase is expected to be available by 2030.
- For rapidly rolling out 6G, government has taken initiatives like Bharat 6G Vision, establishment of 100 5G labs at academic institutions, and facilitating Bharat 6G Alliance.
