Telecommunications equipment giant Nokia has joined forces with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to advance research and development in 6G technologies and use cases, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India to lead in the 6G space. The collaboration will unfold at Nokia's new 6G Lab in Bengaluru, with a focus on three key research areas: 6G radio technologies, 6G architecture, and the integration of machine learning into the 6G air interface. The partnership aims to produce reference architectures, software frameworks, and algorithms to contribute to the global 6G technology and standards ecosystem.

Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Nokia, highlighted the significance of India in the global telecommunications landscape and expressed pride in collaborating with India's scientific and academic community. While the research has a global perspective, special emphasis will be placed on 6G use cases that address India's specific needs, including sustainable and energy-efficient communication systems, enhanced network resiliency for critical communications, and the application of AI for "Network as Sensor" technologies to improve transportation safety, healthcare, and education access.

Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, expressed privilege in contributing to India's mission to play a front-line role in designing, developing, and deploying 6G technology by 2030, as outlined in the Bharat 6G Vision document released by PM Modi. The Bharat 6G Vision Document, launched during the inauguration of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office and Innovation Centre in March last year, envisions India as a leading contributor in 6G technology by 2030. The collaboration between Nokia and IISc is poised to drive advancements in 6G technology and strengthen India's position in the global technological landscape.