According to US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, India is well-positioned to take use of the revolutionary potential of 5G and, in the future, 6G to propel itself to the forefront of digital innovation given its size, vibrant digital economy, and usage of technology.
Garcetti referred to trust as a “absolute necessity” for 5G and said that the US and India are committed to working together to achieve this. India's G20 presidency this year would not only promote the use of trusted solutions and architecture among developing countries, but will also help the developed world by playing a crucial role in the supply chain that will help to derisk the global economy.
Garcetti remarked during the opening ceremony of the US-India 5G and next generation networks workshop that the two countries understand that technology is not only about faster speeds or greater connections but also a doorway to progress and a reflection of growth because of their shared values.
“India is well-positioned to take advantage of the revolutionary impact of 5G and 6G because to its enormous population, flourishing digital economy, and usage of technology that in some ways is leapfrogging other countries across the globe… At the workshop held by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the US Ambassador said, “To catapult itself to the forefront of the digital revolution.”
The leaders of the two countries share a vision for a digital economy based on openness, responsibility to the people, the rule of law, and the defense of fundamental rights.
In contrast to others who pursue technology for other purposes, those are things that unite us. Therefore, we must consider security, trust, openness, and interoperability from the beginning to develop an inclusive and digital future that nurtures these ideals,” he stated.
In order to encourage the prudent worldwide deployment of 5G and next-generation networks, the US is working with India and other countries.
He emphasized the need of security and trust in digital networks, particularly 5G.
He added that the US and India are committed to working together on this mission. “We know it's impossible to eliminate all security risks, but we can minimise the possibility that the architects who build the networks will abuse those networks to undermine its security, its confidentiality, integrity, and availability,” he said.
Since their most private and sensitive information passes via networks, users must also trust them.
“…Trust cannot exist if they are required to provide data by authoritarian regimes without any meaningful legal discussion or transparency. As a result, we are jointly developing alternatives, such as open and interoperable methodologies and architectural frameworks,” he stated.
Technology applied for good will advance the economy, improve health metrics, and increase global and national security. According to him, the US-India relationship is “personal” and based on shared values rather than being a transaction.
The ideals that undergird India's and the US's vision go beyond technical competence.
India is in such great hands… Together from the public and private sectors, with the private sector, and with the community component that characterizes everything that is now a part of India's ascent, under your leadership and with the revolutionary policies that you and your government are putting into place. The US-India relationship is the most interesting nexus in the world, according to Garcetti.
The US National Security Advisor is “collaborating intensely around critical emerging technologies, including the work that we are talking about here today” in anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington, DC, next month.
He emphasized the significance of connecting, protecting, and detecting technology and referred to 5G as revolutionary.
India views telecom as the most important weapon for promoting social and economic inclusion, according to Telecom Secretary K Rajaraman. Therefore, it is crucial that technology be used for the benefit of the disadvantaged, according to Rajaraman, who also noted that the Indian government has implemented a number of initiatives in recent years to guarantee that tech benefits reach the “bottom of the pyramid.”
He predicted that some time in the following year, satellite broadband services will be launched.
Therefore, we already have a constellation of OneWeb, and we have granted them with the first licenses. We also have a different Jio Platforms license. Starlink is also in the conversation with us. So, the Department of Telecom (DoT) secretary remarked, “We expect that by next year, we will have a reasonably solid, robust network made up of all three technologies to serve every area of this nation.
The cost of technology will drop and it will converge for people over the next months and years.
“Therefore, it is imperative that standards be guaranteed as we advance up the technological chain…This notion of accessibility, inclusion, and advancement in the form of significantly increased capabilities and features… So, Rajaraman added, “We think there's a huge potential for all of us to work together in international fora, like the ITU where all of these standards are negotiated, particularly in India and the US.
He said that the lack of connection and access to technology for 2.6 billion people worldwide even today in the digital age is a “global shame” since technology must provide answers for billions of people throughout the globe, not only for a select few.
You can't have numbers like this on the world in the age of 5G and 6G, and it speaks very poorly of how technology is used and deployed.And we are well aware of it,” he said.
In support of a cooperative strategy, he said that all nations must work together and contribute to the development of technology, or “technology will never serve the purposes of all the sections of society across the globe.”
Rajaraman noted a number of government initiatives, such as the saturation campaign for the 45,000 unconnected communities. According to him, both wired and wireless communication are a government priority.
According to him, Bharat Net wants to link to almost six lakh villages over time. While fiber has already reached 200,000 villages, the remaining 400,000 villages would get connection over the course of the next three years, he said.
As he voiced optimism that many Indian businesses would be able to collaborate with US corporations in bringing out solutions not only in India but throughout the globe, Rajaraman emphasized the need of working on global standards.
According to him, policy changes empower business to provide solutions at reasonable prices. Although there has been significant progress made, the administration has implemented a number of changes in this area, according to him.
He said that the Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) is a platform that allows even tiny businesses to develop alongside big businesses. It will provide the telecom network crucial components for 5G and 6G in the future.
He remarked, “We very recently introduced the Open RAN test bed, which is currently in the initial phase.
He said that the US has shown interest in Open RAN technology.
