TEC signs MoU with IIT Kharagpur to carry out Joint Studies on Telecom Technologies and Standardisation Activities

New Delhi: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) to collaborate on joint studies, research, and technical contributions in advanced telecom technologies and global standardisation activities.

The partnership focuses to develop India-specific standards in future network technologies such as 6G, Optical communication, NTNs along with Joint collaboration in telecom technologies such as Passive Optical Network technology, Advanced Antenna Systems, MIMO technologies for 5G and future wireless networks, EMF monitoring solutions, etc. This will also enhance India’s participation in International Telecommunication Union’s Standardization sector (ITU-T) & other Global forums.

The Key Areas of Collaboration:

1-6G: Exploration of 6G architecture and enabling technologies with contributions to research, pre-standardization and standardization activities in global forums such as ITU.

2-AI-Enabled Telecom Systems: Joint research & development and standardization of EMF monitoring solutions, including smart IoT sensor development through AI & Safety Lab frameworks, for enhanced public safety and regulatory compliance.

3-Radio, Antenna & MIMO Technologies: Collaborative research in advanced antenna systems, massive MIMO and related radio access technologies.

4-Satellite & Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs): Joint studies in satellite communication systems, NTNs, HAPS and satellite-terrestrial integration, including disaster-resilient and emergency connectivity solutions.

This partnership will accelerate indigenous R&D and increase India’s influence in global standardisation processes by strengthening India’s contributions to global standardisation bodies such as ITU.

Further, this collaboration will strengthen the Make-in-India initiative by indigenous research, design and manufacturing in telecom - developing India-specific standards, test frameworks and home-grown solutions that bolster national self-reliance, secure critical communications infrastructure and reduce dependence on imports.