India to Host International Workshop on 6G Standardisation on March 18
New Delhi, March 13 – The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), serving as the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications, is gearing up to organise a significant International Workshop on 6G Standardisation. This pivotal event is scheduled for March 18 at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital, New Delhi.
According to an official press release, the workshop is designed to enhance India's contribution to global 6G standardisation efforts. It will provide a crucial platform for national and international experts to exchange updates on the latest research and development in the field.
Objectives and Strategic Importance
The event aims to support Indian start-ups, academia, and innovators by identifying opportunities for their active participation in global standards development. By strengthening India's role in shaping the future of global telecommunications, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the national vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India).
Participants will include representatives from research and development institutions, industry leaders, international standards organisations, and government policy makers. Key bodies such as the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India, are expected to be involved, as highlighted in the release.
Global Context and India's Position
This initiative comes at a critical juncture when global discussions on 6G technologies are accelerating rapidly. Current efforts encompass ongoing studies in 3GPP Release-20 and work on IMT-2030 within the ITU-R, alongside parallel initiatives across multiple international standards bodies.
The release emphasised that it is essential for Indian stakeholders, including government, academia, and industry alliances, to be actively engaged in global 6G discussions at this early stage. India previously gained significant experience during the 5G standardisation cycle through participation in bodies like 3GPP, ITU, and IEEE.
Now, the country is strategically positioned to leverage its capabilities to shape 6G standards. While 5G expanded beyond data services to support ultra-low latency and massive device connectivity, 6G promises groundbreaking advancements in areas such as:
- Ubiquitous intelligent connectivity
- Human-machine integration
- Integrated sensing-communication networks
Ongoing Developments and Future Directions
Ongoing study activities under 3GPP Release-20 have initiated early exploratory work toward future 6G systems. These studies focus on identifying key technology enablers and architectural directions, including:
- AI/ML-native network capabilities
- Network energy efficiency
Simultaneously, ITU-R has formulated the vision for IMT-2030, with the development of Technical Performance Requirements currently in progress to ensure the interoperability and reliability of future telecom equipment.
Other standardisation bodies, such as IEEE, IETF, and ETSI, have also initiated discussions on research priorities, spectrum aspects, and architectural directions. These coordinated developments indicate that the global ecosystem is moving rapidly toward pre-standardisation phases.
According to the release, "It is imperative for India to stay aligned and enhance its presence in the early phases of global 6G standard formation." Building on the momentum gained during the 5G cycle, India is well-positioned to leverage its research and industry capabilities to contribute meaningfully to the development of global 6G standards.
