Nokia and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have joined forces to lead groundbreaking research in the realm of 6G technologies, emphasizing the development of 6G use cases specifically designed to impact Indian society. The collaboration builds on Nokia’s establishment of a state-of-the-art 6G lab in Bengaluru, India, in October 2023, serving as the epicenter for joint research initiatives between Nokia and IISc.
Core Areas of Collaboration
The collaborative efforts between Nokia and IISc will encompass key areas crucial to 6G advancements, including 6G radio technology, architectural considerations, and the integration of machine learning into the 6G air interface. The partnership aims to develop software frameworks, reference architectures, and algorithms, contributing to the collective research on 6G and the standards ecosystem.
India-Centric 6G Use Cases
While the research will have a global perspective, there will be a distinctive focus on identifying 6G use cases tailored to the unique needs of Indian society. The specific use cases to be explored include:
- Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Communications Systems:
- Addressing the challenge of energy consumption in communications for a more sustainable future.
- Enhancing Network Resiliency and Reliability for Critical Communications:
- Strengthening the reliability of networks for critical communications in various sectors.
- AI Integration and “Network as Sensor” Technologies:
- Utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance transportation safety, augment healthcare, and improve access to education.
Contributing to Bharat 6G Vision
By aligning their efforts, Nokia and IISc aim to contribute significantly to the ‘Bharat 6G Vision,’ a central government initiative that envisions positioning India as a key global player in the development of 6G technology. The collaborative research endeavors are geared towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India as a leader in 6G standardization, development, and implementation.
Global and Local Collaborations
Nokia anticipates further collaborations with organizations globally and within India to explore and research 6G technologies. The Bengaluru lab will serve as a vital hub for comprehending and advancing 6G technologies as a whole.
Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Nokia, expressed pride in collaborating with Indian science and academia to ensure that 6G becomes a force multiplier for the Indian economy. Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, highlighted the institute’s privilege in contributing to India’s mission to be at the forefront of 6G technology by 2030, as outlined in the Bharat 6G Vision document.
