On Thursday, the company announced that the lab will serve as a hub for industry collaboration and support the testing of creative solutions.
Nokia mentioned that their experts at the Bengaluru center will assist India in achieving its goal of making significant contributions to the worldwide 6G standards.
In Bengaluru, Nokia, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, has established a cutting-edge 6G laboratory at its global research and development center. This pioneering project is focused on speeding up the advancement of essential technologies and creative applications.
In an announcement made on Thursday, the company mentioned that the lab will serve as a collaborative platform for various industry stakeholders and will facilitate the experimentation of inventive solutions, assessing their potential for commercial use.
The lab possesses the capability to investigate ‘network as a sensor’ technology, enabling networks to detect objects, people, and movement without requiring on-board sensors. This technology plays a vital role in aligning with the vision of seamlessly integrating the digital and physical realms.
Sensors will soon be fully integrated into wireless networks, functioning alongside communication services. This integration holds the potential to allow individuals to perceive their surroundings better, even around corners, gather information about their environment, and interact with distant objects.
The laboratory will serve as an experimental platform for studying algorithms, privacy concerns, and sustainable system design.
“Telecommunication technology plays a vital role in the Digital India Program. As we swiftly progress with one of the world’s fastest 5G implementations, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi envisions India taking the lead in 6G technology. During his visit to India in March, Mr. Pekka Lundmark, CEO of Nokia, met with the honorable PM Modi, who shared India’s ambition to lead in 6G. They discussed the possibility of Nokia establishing a 6G research lab in India,” stated Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Telecommunications, during the virtual inauguration of the lab.
“The Nokia 6G research lab in India is the first live 6G lab in the country, featuring a live 6G demo setup utilizing mm-wave spectrum. Vaishnaw emphasized that this lab will encourage academia and startups to collaborate and develop standards and use cases for 6G.
Pekka Lundmark, Nokia’s president and CEO, highlighted the rapid telecom network roll-out in India, resulting in the country having the world’s third-largest 5G installed base. He expressed satisfaction with the progress but emphasized the ongoing work to support India’s digital transformation in various sectors.
Nokia, a pioneer in 6G technology, is actively involved in global and regional projects and initiatives related to 6G, collaborating with industry peers, customers, academia, and research institutions. Their efforts are focused on establishing a common vision and direction for 6G, including projects like 6G Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II, representing the first and second phases of the European 6G Flagship. Additionally, Nokia is a founding member of the Next G Alliance.”
Nokia mentioned that professionals at its Bengaluru facility will assist India in making significant advancements in global 6G standards. Additionally, they are working on establishing research partnerships with top research institutions in India, such as IISc and IITs, to enhance the 6G research efforts, as stated by Nishant Batra, Nokia’s Chief Strategy and Technology Officer.