Bharat 6G: Critical Tech for Autonomous Ships

Chaitanya Giri

28 Jul 2025 — 1 min read

India’s Bharat 6G vision, if aligned with global telecom and maritime standards, can be a game-changer in enabling autonomous, connected ships and securing India’s leadership in the oceanic digital future

Telecommunications networks are integral to modern maritime operations, aiding safety, security, sustainability and efficiency. In deep oceans, connectivity for ships has been made possible through satellite-based telecommunications operating in the Ka-, Ku-, C-, L-, S-, and X-bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, some of these bands are limited in terms of data transmissions, some are expensive, while some are susceptible to the environment, particularly to rainy weather conditions and cloud cover. Independent of the highly comprehensive Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and the Maritime India Vision 2030, India’s newly energised shipping ambitions are yet to coalesce several non-shipping yet significant technologies that would help the vision’s broader lattice. One such is the use of sixth-generation and further (6G+) satellite communication technologies that would, for the first time, aid autonomous shipping. This convergence would be a significant development as inexpensive, low-latency, data-dense and seamless telecom connectivity offered over blue oceans by 6G+ satellites would ensure that ships have the full suite of sensors and devices, aiding ships with onboard intelligence and networks to operate without mariners’ intervention.

Read the original Expert Speak form of this piece on the Observer Research Foundation website through this weblink - https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/bharat-6g-critical-tech-for-autonomous-ships

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