Senior leaders from Rohde & Schwarz shared their perspectives with Kumar Harshit, Technology Correspondent at ELE Times, on the evolving wireless landscape, discussing the transition from 5G to 6G and the technologies shaping next-generation networks. The conversation focused on rising network complexity and the growing importance of intelligent test and measurement solutions.
The conversation was enriched by insights from Simon Ng, Sales Director – Mobile Network Testing (Asia Pacific), R&S Regional Headquarters, Singapore; Alexander Pabst, Vice President – Market Segment Wireless Communication, R&S GmbH & Co. KG, Germany; and Mahesh Basavaraju, Market Segment Manager – Wireless Communication, R&S India Pvt. Ltd.
Together, the leaders shared a cohesive outlook on key enablers of future networks, including advanced test and measurement methodologies, AI-native and AI-assisted networks, non-terrestrial and satellite integration, the emergence of Wi-Fi 8, and India’s expanding role as a critical hub for telecom R&D and innovation.
Here are the excerpts from the conversation:
ELE Times: How does Rohde & Schwarz view localization, particularly in manufacturing and equipment development in India?
R&S: Rohde & Schwarz develops global technologies for a global market. Rather than localizing products in isolation, we operate through a unified global development model. India plays a key role in this framework.
We have over 200 engineers in India who contribute directly to our global R&D efforts. The solutions developed through this collaboration are deployed worldwide, including in India. In that sense, India is deeply integrated into our global innovation ecosystem.
ELE Times: As the industry transitions from 5G toward 6G, how is Rohde & Schwarz positioning itself?
R&S: Connectivity is no longer limited to consumer communication; it is becoming core infrastructure for industry and society. While 5G has enabled private networks, industrial IoT, and enterprise use cases, 6G will take this further.
With 6G, we expect higher operating frequencies, native integration of non-terrestrial networks such as satellites, network sensing capabilities, and deeper convergence of AI, XR, and communication technologies. Our role is to enable this entire ecosystem—on both the network and device sides—through advanced test, measurement, and validation solutions, from early research to commercialization.
ELE Times: What are the defining technology pillars you associate with 6G?
R&S: Three pillars stand out clearly. First is ubiquitous connectivity, where satellite communication becomes a native part of the network rather than an add-on. Second is immersive and intelligent experiences driven by the convergence of XR, AI, and sensing technologies. Third is energy and spectrum efficiency, which will be critical to ensure sustainability as network capacity and complexity continue to grow.
ELE Times: Rohde & Schwarz is known for working in the pre-market phase. How early are you involved in new technology development?
R&S: Very early. Typically, we operate three to five years ahead of commercial deployment. Our responsibility is to translate high-level visions—such as holographic communication or pervasive sensing—into concrete, testable technical requirements.
This includes supporting evolving standards, advances in massive MIMO, AI-driven air interfaces, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), and next-generation antenna systems. We work closely with industry players to ensure these technologies are testable and reliable long before they reach the market.
ELE Times: Wi-Fi 8 is emerging alongside cellular evolution. Why is Wi-Fi 8 important?
R&S: Wi-Fi 8 is less about peak data rates and more about reliability, coordination, and scalability. One key improvement is the ability of access points to coordinate spectrum usage among themselves, significantly reducing interference.
It also enhances mesh networking, improves spectrum efficiency, and allows a single cell to serve more users reliably. While there may be incremental increases in bandwidth, the real value lies in better-managed spectrum and consistent user experience.
ELE Times: Can you highlight some recent breakthroughs in test and measurement technologies?
R&S: One important area is testing XR and AI applications over wireless networks. Unlike wired connections, wireless networks introduce latency, fading, congestion, and other impairments that directly affect performance. Our platforms can simulate these real-world conditions to validate application behavior accurately.
Another breakthrough is in base station testing. Traditionally, this required large racks of individual instruments. We have introduced compact, fully integrated base station testers that are cost-efficient, reliable, and well-suited for production environments.
We have also developed solutions for millimeter-wave Wi-Fi, particularly relevant to India, and advanced test setups for non-terrestrial networks, including satellite-based communication.
ELE Times: How do you assess India’s progress after its rapid nationwide 5G rollout?
R&S: India’s progress has been remarkable. Network quality, coverage, and speed have improved dramatically in a short time. More importantly, India is no longer content with being a fast follower.
There is a strong national ambition to be at the forefront of 6G, supported by government funding, research programs, and industry collaboration. We are actively supporting this journey by working closely with Indian operators, OEMs, startups, and academic institutions.
ELE Times: What role does Rohde & Schwarz play in India’s 6G and R&D ecosystem?
R&S: We are actively engaged with the Bharat 6G Alliance and contribute across multiple working groups covering technology, spectrum, and use cases. Our role is to bring global experience into Indian research programs and testbeds.
India has set ambitious goals around creating domestic intellectual property for 6G. We already see strong innovation emerging from Indian universities and startups, particularly in areas such as massive MIMO and AI-driven networks, and we support them with advanced validation and measurement platforms.
ELE Times: What are the key challenges in pre-silicon testing and validation?
R&S: One major challenge has been early-stage testing. Historically, this required complex hardware simulators and tightly synchronized physical interfaces. We have now shifted toward software-based testing using IQ-over-IP, enabling validation at a much earlier stage.
Another important shift is continuous integration, where software can be repeatedly tested in pre-silicon environments before being committed to hardware. This significantly accelerates development cycles.
We are also simplifying automation by moving from traditional programming approaches to Python-based workflows and introducing AI-assisted scripting, allowing engineers to define complex tests using natural language.
ELE Times: AI is becoming central to telecom systems. How does Rohde & Schwarz approach AI?
R&S: From a telecom perspective, AI can be broadly categorized into AI on RAN, AI for RAN, and AI and RAN. Our primary focus is AI for RAN, where AI is used to optimize network performance.
AI introduces many new variables, making performance validation more complex. Our focus is on enabling fair, repeatable, and meaningful testing. Internally, we see AI as a powerful enabler rather than a replacement for engineers. The engineer remains at the center of decision-making, with AI enhancing efficiency, automation, and insight.
ELE Times: Finally, how do you see India shaping the global 6G ecosystem?
R&S: India brings together scale, talent, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and strong policy support. What is particularly striking is the density of innovation and risk-taking startups, supported by government initiatives.
With sustained investment in research, testbeds, and global collaboration, India is well-positioned to influence global 6G standards and deployments. We expect India to play a significant role in shaping the future of wireless communication worldwide.
