Introduction: 5G just arrived, and now they are talking about 6G?!
Just when we are getting to enjoy steady 5G in India, the buzz around 6G has begun. I will be honest: I was still getting acclimated to the "buffer-free Netflix binge" experience on 5G when news articles and YouTube tech producers began boasting about 1 Terabit per second speeds, holographic chats, and even brain-to-device interfaces.
If you are like me, curious but puzzled, this blog will walk you through what
to expect from 6G in India, particularly in 2025 and 2026. There is no hype.
Only facts and realistic insights.
What exactly is 6G? (Why should I care?)
Let us break it down:
6G is more than simply "faster internet"; it is a major leap into the
science fiction realm. Here is what it promises.
• Achieves speeds of up to 1 Tbps (terabits).
• Near-zero latency for instant responsiveness.
• Support for cutting-edge technologies such as holograms, real-time AR/VR, and
brain-computer interfaces.
• AI will enable network-level communication between devices.
It sounds ridiculous. But it is being worked on. And India is smack in the
thick of it.
In India's 6G launch timeline (per the government)
Now this is when things become interesting.The Indian government produced the Bharat 6G Vision Document. According to it, the 6G journey in India is outlined as follows:
• In 2023-24, R&D began with IITs, DRDO, and ISRO engaged.
• In 2025, testbeds, pilot trials, and agreements with private telecoms will
commence.
• Early commercial trials are planned for certain cities, including Delhi,
Bengaluru, and Mumbai, by 2026.
So, while full-scale 6G will not be available this year or next, genuine tests
will begin soon.
Which companies are testing 6G in India?
I looked into this because I wanted to know who was creating this future.
Here is the list thus far:
• Reliance Jio and Airtel are in talks for 6G trials.
• Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung collaborate for hardware and network testing.
• IIT Madras and IISc Bengaluru serve as research and development centres for
6G technology.
• DRDO and ISRO focus on satellite-powered 6G and defense-grade security.
To be honest, I am delighted India is now a maker rather than a consumer.
Will My Phone Work With 6G?
The short answer is no (unfortunately).
Even the latest 5G flagships will not be 6G-ready. To support THz-band spectrum
and AI-native networking, we will need new chipsets, antennas, and, most
likely, newer Android/iOS updates.
That means phones with Qualcomm 8 Gen 5 or 6 may begin to enable it (most
likely by 2026-2027).
So, if you are looking to buy a phone right now, do not worry about 6G. Enjoy
5G.
Quick 6G vs 5G Comparison Table (So You Know What’s Coming)
|
Feature |
5G |
6G (Coming) |
|
Max Speed |
Up to 10 Gbps |
Up to 1 Tbps
(100x faster) |
|
Latency |
~1 ms |
< 0.1 ms |
|
AI
Integration |
Add-on AI |
Built-in AI
networking |
|
Use Cases |
Streaming,
AR/VR |
Holograms,
BCI, Metaverse |
How Does India Compare Globally?
Other countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, and the United States, have already began their 6G experiments. But India is not far behind.
We are well-positioned to lead the software + integration side of 6G, thanks to
our large user base, IT strength, and startup environment – especially if
trials go well in 2025.
Real Challenges (Be Honest)
India still has:
• Poor 5G coverage in rural areas.
• High hardware costs for the general public.
• Infrastructure difficulties in Tier 2/3 cities.
It will be difficult to roll out 6G in this circumstance. Expect it to begin in
metros, then expand to B2B apps, and finally reach customers by 2028/2029.
So, Should You Wait For 6G?
Nope.
If you want to acquire a phone or a Wi-Fi router right now, do not wait. 6G is still in its early phases, and 5G will remain the primary player until at least 2027-28.
But, certainly, stay updated. Subscribe to 6G News. Keep an eye out for brands
that are testing 6G smartphones. Keep a watch on cities like Bengaluru and
Mumbai, as they would most likely be the first to receive trials.
Final Thoughts.
I will be paying great attention to this. 6G is about more than just speed; it
envisions a future in which our devices can think, predict, and connect in real
time.
India is finally participating in the global conversation, rather than simply
watching from the sidelines. That is exciting.
If you found this helpful, share it with your tech-savvy friends – or those who
still do not understand what 6G is.
FAQs
Q: When will 6G be officially launched in India?
The government intends for testing in 2025 and an early implementation in 2026.
Q: Does my existing 5G phone support 6G?
Nope. 6G requires new hardware, chipsets, and antennas.
Q. Is 6G a reality or simply hype?
Very realistic. Tests are already underway internationally, including in India.
Q: What is Bharat 6G Vision?
India's government plans to become a global 6G leader.
Q. Will we actually have holographic calls and brain-nets?
While this is the ultimate goal, it is unlikely to be widely adopted before 2030.
