Reliance Jio has developed a pre-6G technology stack and is targeting India’s entry among the first countries to deploy sixth-generation mobile networks when global standards are finalised around 2030. The company showcased its next-generation telecom technologies at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi, signalling its ambition to expand beyond telecom services into advanced network technology development.
According to a report by Moneycontrol, Jio has developed a pre-6G stack and a Giga MIMO Radio, which were displayed at the industry event. The company is also showcasing a common baseband unit designed to support both 5G and 6G networks, potentially helping operators transition between generations of wireless technology.
Jio Targets Higher Capacity and Lower Network Latency
Jio is targeting up to five times the capacity of current 5G networks and latency up to 10 times lower than 5G, according to sources cited by Moneycontrol.
If achieved in deployed networks, these improvements could support applications requiring rapid data transmission and near-real-time interaction. Potential use cases include AI-powered services, holographic communications, connected healthcare, digital education and other advanced applications.
The company’s Giga MIMO Radio is another major element of its technology showcase. Multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology uses multiple antennas to improve wireless capacity and spectral efficiency. More advanced implementations could help networks accommodate growing data demand in densely populated areas.
However, the reported performance targets are not the same as independently verified results from a commercial 6G network. Actual performance will depend on spectrum availability, network design, standards and deployment conditions.
More Than 8,000 Patents and Contributions to Global Standards
Jio has filed more than 8,000 patents, including hundreds related to 6G, and made over 934 contributions to global standards, according to sources cited in the report.
The company’s stated strategy spans four areas: hardware, software, patents and participation in international standardisation.
These efforts are significant because 6G development involves more than building faster radios. It also requires advances in network architecture, computing, software, spectrum utilisation and interoperability among equipment from different vendors.
Participation in international standards development could help Indian technology companies influence how future networks are designed and create opportunities to supply equipment and software to operators in other markets.
AI and Quantum-Safe Networks in Focus
Jio is also working towards AI-native and quantum-safe networks, according to the report.
AI-native networks are designed to incorporate artificial intelligence into network operations, optimisation and service delivery. Such capabilities could help operators manage traffic, detect faults and allocate network resources more efficiently.
Quantum-safe networking, meanwhile, involves technologies intended to protect communications against potential future threats from quantum computing. Its implementation will require suitable cryptographic standards, equipment and security architecture.
Together, these areas reflect the industry’s broader shift towards networks that do more than transmit data, with connectivity increasingly integrated with computing, automation and digital services.
What 6G Could Mean for India
The development comes as India continues to expand its 5G infrastructure and strengthen domestic telecom manufacturing and research capabilities.
An indigenous technology stack could reduce reliance on imported network components in some areas, develop domestic engineering expertise and create opportunities for Indian companies to export telecom equipment and software.
For sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and education, future network capabilities could support applications involving remote monitoring, connected devices, immersive learning and AI-enabled services. These benefits, however, will depend on affordability, reliable coverage and the availability of practical applications.
Why 2030 Matters
The year 2030 is an important target in the emerging 6G development cycle, as the industry works towards global standards and the next generation of commercial wireless networks.
Jio’s stated ambition is for India to be among the early countries to roll out 6G once those standards are finalised. The timeline remains a target rather than a guarantee of commercial availability in 2030.
Commercial deployment will depend on the completion of international standards, spectrum policy, equipment readiness, testing and investment in network infrastructure.
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