India’s Bharat 6G Alliance and the European telecom industry body Industry Alliance 6G are poised to establish a partnership aimed at collaborating on the development of 6G technology, according to individuals familiar with the situation.
One source revealed that Bharat 6G and Industry Alliance 6G are on the verge of finalizing an agreement, while another indicated that both parties are swiftly working to outline the parameters of the collaboration, with formal agreements expected to be signed in the upcoming quarter.
The partnership is likely to take the form of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), akin to the one Bharat 6G previously inked with the United States in September last year.
Launched in 2023 by the Department of Telecommunications, the Bharat 6G Alliance was established to unite industry players, academia, and research organizations in advancing the Bharat 6G mission. In September 2023, the alliance signed an MoU with America’s Next G Alliance to collaborate on 6G wireless technologies and bolster resilient supply chains. Both nations articulated a shared vision of fostering secure and trusted telecommunications and facilitating global digital inclusion in a joint statement.
India and the European Union are expanding their cooperation on high technologies under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, as evidenced by the recent signing of an MoU on semiconductor cooperation.
About Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)?
The Bharat 6G Alliance, announced by the telecom department last year, aims to bring together Indian startups, companies, and the manufacturing ecosystem to spearhead the design, development, and deployment of 6G technologies in India. By accelerating the creation of standards-related patents within the country and actively contributing to international standardization organizations such as 3GPP and ITU, the alliance seeks to position India at the forefront of 6G innovation. It also seeks to facilitate market access for Indian firms in foreign nations, the department noted.
The government aims to forge alliances with other global 6G coalitions to gain insights into the business and societal needs of 6G beyond technical requirements, build consensus on these needs, and promote research and development. The Bharat 6G Alliance has bolstered India’s presence in the International Telecommunication Union, which has accepted India’s 6G vision document, thereby granting India a voice in setting standards and other related matters.
