Bharat 6G, an alliance of government, industry, and academia, has suggested extending the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile devices until 2030 through its working group on sensors, technology, and manufacturing systems. 

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) 

The 5-year Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the electronics manufacturing industry is nearing completion, with just one year remaining. Major beneficiary companies of the 45,00 crore scheme include Apple Inc., Samsung, and home-grown Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Companies like Dixon Technologies among many others. The scheme incentives 4-6% to the eligible companies. 

The working group has suggested extending the tenure of the PLI scheme until 2030 to boost the manufacturing of 6G devices at home as this would allow more and more electronics manufacturing companies to venture and make India Self-sufficient in technology requirements for smooth and seamless roll-out of 6G. 

Import Restrictions 

The working group has also suggested continuing with the import restriction on phones to disincentivize them and promote home-grown companies into the same voyage. This would empower the electronics manufacturers at home coupled with discouraging domestic companies from importing finished products and only reaping profits by squeezing Indian masses. 

Working Group 

The working group consists of members from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), IISc Bangalore, and IITs. It also includes representatives from telecom companies and telecom equipment manufacturers. 

Indias’ Report on 6G 

The alliance also has a group to steer the 6G growth in India through specific targets namely patents and technology. It has targeted to achieve a tenfold increase in 6G patents by 2030 along with the development of at least one new railway technology. It has also asserted that India to have at least 10 Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), essential for developing 6G.  

Other Recommendations 

The working group has also suggested that the government should consider incentivizing the existing large brands to steer India into Device manufacturing. Currently, India lacks OEMs in consumer electronics. It has also suggested initiating a Design Linked Incentive (DLI) to encourage EMS companies to reduce dependence on China. 

Submission of Recommendation

 
The group has recently submitted its recommendations to Telcom Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia while the minister held meetings with the representatives of several working groups.