Three Satcom Players En Route To Permit Clearance; India To Accrue 10% 6G Patents: Telecom Minister
While 6G is still in nascent phase, India will play a seminal role in discussions around the standardisation of protocols and allocation of frequency spectrum, Jyotiraditya Scindia said.
Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday said India is poised to play a critical role in shaping the global 6G landscape, with an estimated 10% of patents expected to accrue to the country once protocols are finalised.
While speaking to NDTV Profit, Scindia highlighted that while 6G is still in its nascent phase, India will play a seminal role in discussions around the standardisation of protocols and allocation of frequency spectrum — both currently being deliberated at the World Radiocommunication Conference.
The WRC is a key international forum organised by the International Telecommunication Union, responsible for reviewing and revising global radio-frequency allocations. For 6G, the WRC is leading discussions on identifying suitable spectrum bands and setting preliminary frameworks. However, Scindia emphasised that these conversations are still exploratory.
“Global spectrum and frequency for 6G are still under study and nowhere near finalisation,” he said, adding that several frequency ranges are being actively examined by international regulatory bodies.
On the domestic front, Scindia underscored progress in telecom infrastructure, revealing that BSNL has erected over 93,450 telecom towers to date. Installation, commissioning, and SCFT (Site Commissioning and Final Testing) are currently in process as part of the state-run operator’s network expansion.
He also spotlighted India’s capabilities in telecom manufacturing, crediting C-DOT, Tejas Networks, and TCS for building the country’s indigenous 4G telecom stack—a foundational move toward self-reliance and future-readiness.
As India prepares to embrace emerging technologies such as satellite-based communication, the minister confirmed that three companies are in the process of applying for Satcom licences and permits.
“Once granted, it will be up to the Satcom players to commence operations,” Scindia said, adding that satellite and terrestrial networks will increasingly coexist in India’s telecom ecosystem.
