From 5G to 6G: India’s telecom roadmap must be built on utilization, not hype

“6G rollout will depend on complete utilization of 5G use cases,” said Manoj Kumar Singh, Director General of the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), during an industry event in New Delhi. His remark comes at a time when India’s telecom sector is racing ahead with large-scale 5G deployment while also eyeing the future promise of 6G. Singh’s statement, however, brings a note of caution urging the industry to focus on making the most of existing 5G investments before rushing toward the next technological frontier.

Sixth-generation mobile technology or 6G, is the anticipated successor to 5G and is still in the research and standardization stage globally. It is expected to deliver much higher data speeds, dramatically lower latency, and wider network coverage, extending connectivity even to remote and aerial regions. Unlike 5G, which primarily enhanced mobile broadband and introduced the first wave of machine-to-machine communication, 6G aims to integrate sensing, positioning, and even imaging capabilities into the network itself. It is designed to be “AI-native,” with artificial intelligence embedded directly into network management, enabling predictive maintenance, intelligent resource allocation, and seamless automation. Moreover, 6G is expected to operate across higher frequency bands including the terahertz spectrum and to bring a new level of energy efficiency and sustainability through smarter power management and hardware design. While 5G continues to connect people and devices at unprecedented speeds, 6G’s vision is to connect intelligence itself, powering advanced technologies such as autonomous systems, immersive extended reality, and real-time digital twins.

Singh’s statement linking 6G rollout to the “complete utilization of 5G use cases” reflects both economic prudence and policy awareness. He emphasized that while India’s 5G rollout has been rapid, its commercial and industrial applications remain underdeveloped. Telecom operators and infrastructure providers have invested heavily in 5G networks, yet most usage today still centers on consumer mobile data rather than high-value enterprise or industrial solutions. Singh’s argument is that unless 5G networks are fully leveraged across industries from smart manufacturing and connected healthcare to logistics and urban management the business case for investing in 6G will be weak. Full utilization, in his view, means more than network coverage or subscriber numbers; it refers to unlocking the diverse range of use cases that 5G was designed to enable, ensuring that both the public and private sectors derive measurable economic and operational benefits.

His comments also highlight the broader ecosystem challenge. Advanced 5G use cases require coordination among telecom operators, device makers, industry verticals, and regulators. Many of these collaborations are still in early stages, and a lack of readiness in devices, applications, and infrastructure integration continues to slow adoption. Singh’s position suggests that before India can responsibly invest in 6G infrastructure which will demand even higher capital expenditure and technological sophistication it must first ensure that the 5G ecosystem matures, becomes self-sustaining, and delivers on its promises. He also hinted at the need for better policy alignment, including streamlined Right-of-Way permissions, improved fiberization, and infrastructure sharing, to maximize 5G’s reach and efficiency.

Although Singh’s statement drew attention for its timing, the underlying sentiment is not entirely new. Over the past year, several industry leaders, both in India and globally, have voiced similar concerns about the tendency to leapfrog to 6G before 5G’s potential is fully realized. Telecom analysts have repeatedly warned that many of the anticipated 5G use cases such as smart factories, connected vehicles, and industrial automation remain largely unmonetized. What distinguishes Singh’s remark is its emphasis on “complete utilization,” a phrase that underscores the need for measurable saturation of 5G applications, not just widespread deployment. It is also significant that this perspective comes from the head of DIPA, which represents India’s key digital infrastructure providers, the companies that build and maintain the physical backbone of telecom connectivity.

Factually, Singh’s caution is well-founded. Despite strong 5G rollout momentum, India’s advanced use cases are still at the pilot or proof-of-concept stage. While the number of 5G subscribers is growing, industrial and enterprise adoption has yet to scale meaningfully. Globally, telecom experts agree that transitioning to 6G will require lessons learned from 5G deployment, including improved network utilization, data management, and business model innovation. Singh’s assertion, therefore, aligns with the global understanding that technological evolution should follow market readiness and economic viability.

In essence, Singh’s statement reframes the conversation around India’s 6G ambitions. It suggests that the next leap in connectivity should not merely be a technological race but a measured progression built on the success and maturity of existing systems. By advocating for the complete utilization of 5G use cases, he is calling for deeper industry collaboration, greater innovation in applications, and stronger policy support to ensure that India’s digital infrastructure evolves sustainably. The message is clear: before reaching for 6G, India must make 5G truly work across industries, geographies, and citizens to build a foundation strong enough for the networks of the future.