NEW DELHI: India’s 5G rollout has been one of the fastest in the world led by domestic telcos, covering more than 100 million consumers in a year, and the world is now eyeing India’s 6G technology. said Neeraj Mittal, India’s Secretary of State. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) disclosed this on Monday.
“India has made leaps and bounds in several technologies, including the creation of digital public infrastructure. Our 5G rollout, led by domestic companies, is one of the fastest in the world, reaching over 100 million consumers in a year. The world is already looking to India for 6G technology,” Mittal said at an industry event organized by Telecom. Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) and his DoT.
Citing a recent Ookla report, he said India is growing by leaps and bounds in mobile broadband speeds.
“This speedup will no longer be limited to urban areas but will be extended to all village panchayats in the country through the BharatNet program,” Mittal said.
He added that India has already created the Bharat 6G Alliance, a collaboration between industry, academia and government. “We are also funding programs such as 6G testbeds, optical communications, and research through the Telecommunications Technology Development Fund.”
NG Subramaniam, chairman of TEPC and chief operating officer (COO) of Tata Consultancy Services, said the domestic telecom sector remained strong.
“Many start-ups, MSMEs and OEMs have come into existence in the last decade. Our country’s exports from the telecom sector through its products and services will soar by 35% in 2023 and India will grow around 80% in the telecom sector in 2023. We have attracted $1 billion in FDI,” he said at the event.
A total of 90 exhibitors, including 50 MSMEs and 40 startups, will display their products at the Bharat Telecom Exhibition, TEPC said in a statement. The event was attended by over 135 of his delegates from over 35 countries around the world.