Nokia announced last Friday that it is expanding its 6G efforts in India by partnering with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to jointly research 6G technologies and 6G use cases that have a direct impact on society in India.
Nokia and IISc will collaborate at Nokia’s newly opened 6G Lab in Bangalore to pursue three core research areas: 6G radio technology, 6G architecture, and the application of machine learning to 6G air interface. This collaboration will develop reference architectures, software frameworks, and algorithms with the aim of contributing joint research to the 6G technology and standards ecosystem.
While the nature of the research is global, Nokia and IISc will focus specifically on 6G use cases that address areas of particular importance to India. These use cases include:
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Building more sustainable and energy efficient communication systems
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Improving network resiliency and reliability for critical communications
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Use AI and develop “network-as-sensor” technology to improve transportation safety, enhance health care, and increase access to education.
By focusing on these use cases, Nokia and IISc will help shape the evolution of mobile phone infrastructure to meet the societal needs of large developing countries like India, while simultaneously supporting the entire global 6G ecosystem. We will continue to contribute to
India has become a global powerhouse in communications innovation and is playing a key role in the development of 6G. Nokia and IISc plan to partner to advance India’s ‘Bharat 6G Vision’, which aims to position India as a leading global contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G technology.
In October 2023, Nokia opened a 6G lab at its Global R&D Center in Bangalore. The first-of-its-kind research facility aims to accelerate the development of foundational technologies and innovative use cases backed by 6G technology, as well as foster collaboration between Nokia and the Indian academic community. The collaboration with IISc is the first time such a partnership has come out of the lab. It combines the academic strength of India’s leading research institutes with Nokia’s expertise in deploying cutting-edge mobile technologies globally at scale.
Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, Nokia
India’s importance on the global telecommunications stage cannot be overstated. We are proud to work with some of the brightest minds in India’s scientific and academia to make 6G a driving force for India’s economy. Together, we will help realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India as a leader in 6G standardization, development and implementation. We will also explore India-specific 6G use cases to ensure 6G addresses the unique needs of the subcontinent.
Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc
IISc is honored to contribute to India’s mission to be at the forefront of designing, developing and deploying 6G technology by 2030, as envisioned in the Bharat 6G Vision document announced by the Prime Minister of India.
