As 5G networks continue to expand worldwide, heralding new communication capabilities and services, attention is already turning to the next frontier: 6G. With the potential to revolutionize society, industries, and everyday life, 6G networks are poised to become the backbone of future communication needs, serving both humans and intelligent machines. To capitalize on this potential, collaboration between industry and research communities is crucial, with a shared vision driving advancements in critical services, immersive communication, and the omnipresent Internet of Things (IoT).

Against this backdrop, Bharat Exhibitions recently hosted the second edition of the BHARAT 6G 2024 International Conference & Exhibition in New Delhi. The event brought together key leaders, innovators, developers, and experts from various industry verticals to discuss the standardization and deployment of 6G in India.

The conference kicked off with a Plenary Panel Discussion on “Research and Standardization Roadmaps for 6G.” T.V. Ramachandran, President of BIF, highlighted the need for elevated performance standards in both networks and devices, emphasizing the extensive research being conducted in this domain. Dignitaries such as A. Robert Jerard Ravi from DoT, S. K. Marwaha from MeitY, and Prof. Kiran Kuchi from IIT Hyderabad echoed the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping India’s 6G landscape.

The Inaugural Session focused on “Network Evolution beyond 5G & India’s Vision for 6G,” with S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, underlining the government’s commitment to advancing both 5G and 6G technologies. Industry leaders like Shyam Mardikar from Reliance Jio and Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar from COAI emphasized the role of 6G in enhancing India’s digital leadership and connectivity infrastructure.

Throughout the conference, experts discussed various aspects of 6G deployment, including its impact on rural connectivity, healthcare, and national security. Sandeep Saxena from NOKIA highlighted the fusion of digital, physical, and human worlds in the 6G era, while Shashi Dharan from Bharat Exhibitions underscored the transformative potential of 6G for India’s economy.

The event also featured technical sessions and panel discussions, with participation from industry stalwarts such as Reliance Jio, NOKIA, Syniverse, Bharti Airtel, Rohde & Schwarz, and Mavenir Systems.