The new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office and Innovation Centre in New Delhi has been launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the ceremony, he also introduced Bharat’s 6G Vision Document, as well as the 6G R&D Test Bed and the ‘Call Before You Dig’ App.
ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre
The ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs) and has a network of field offices, regional offices, and area offices. The ITU Area Office in New Delhi is fully funded by India and will serve eight countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran, promoting economic cooperation in the region.
Bharat’s 6G Vision Document
The Technological Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G), which was formed in November 2021, created the Bharat 6G Vision Paper. Members of the group are from various Ministries/Departments, research and development organisations, academics, standardisation agencies, telecom service providers, and industry, and their goal is to produce a roadmap and action plans for 6G in India.
6G Test Bed
The 6G Testbed will provide a platform for academic institutions, industries, start-ups, MSMEs, and the industry, among others, to test and validate evolving ICT technologies. Along with the Bharat 6G Vision Document, the 6G Testbed will provide an enabling environment for innovation, capacity building and faster technology adoption in the country.
Call before you dig (CBuD) App
The ‘Call before u dig’ App is a tool developed to prevent damage to underlying assets, such as optical fibre cables, which occurs because of uncoordinated digging and excavation. Every year, millions of crores are lost as a result of this. Using SMS/Email notifications and click-to-call capabilities, the mobile app will link excavators and asset owners. This guarantees that excavations in the country are planned while also protecting the protection of subsurface assets.
PM Modi’s speech
PM Modi stated at the ceremony that “telecom technology is empowering our countrymen in India.” He also stated that “One of India’s aims as G-20 president is to narrow the regional difference. When it comes to bridging the technical divide, India is the obvious choice.”
The establishment of the ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre, as well as the Bharat 6G Vision Document, the 6G Testbed, and the ‘Call Before You Dig’ App, is an important step in realising India’s digital ambitions. These measures will pave the path for the country’s speedier embrace of technology, capacity building, and innovation.
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