The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) and Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT Delhi) have joined hands for a major new initiative. They signed an important agreement, known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on November 19, 2025 . This partnership means they will work together to study and contribute technical knowledge in advanced telecom technologies. They will also help set global standards for how these technologies work. The TEC is the main technical group under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which is part of the Government of India.
This new collaboration is a big step towards India's Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission , which means 'Self-Reliant India.' The partnership aims to boost research and development of telecom technology made right here in India. By creating our own technology, India will rely less on other countries for communication equipment and systems. The agreement also supports India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goals. This means finding ways to make telecom devices and infrastructure use less energy and be more environmentally friendly. It's about building a greener future for communication.
Working together, TEC and IIIT Delhi will create special standards and testing methods tailored for India's unique needs. They will also do joint research in telecom and other related information and communication technologies (ICT). A key focus is to explore future network technologies. These include 6G (the next generation of mobile internet after 5G), optical communication (sending data using light through fibre optics or open air), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). NTNs involve using technologies like satellites and drones for communication in remote areas or where traditional ground networks are difficult to set up. This teamwork will also help India take a more active and influential role in global discussions, especially at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where worldwide telecom standards are decided.
Key Areas for Joint Work
The agreement covers several important and advanced areas where TEC and IIIT Delhi will pool their knowledge and efforts. These focus areas are crucial for shaping the future of communication in India and globally:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Telecom: They will use AI to make telecom networks smarter and more efficient. This means using AI to spot problems early, predict when equipment needs fixing, manage internet traffic better, and enforce rules on how networks operate.
- 5G and 6G Technologies: This involves joint research and setting standards for advanced mobile networks like 5G and the upcoming 6G. They will also look at complex technologies like mmWave (using high-frequency radio waves for faster data) and mMIMO (Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output, which uses many antennas to handle more users and data in crowded areas).
- Software Defined Network (SDN) & Network Function Virtualization (NFV): They will study and create standards for these cutting-edge technologies. SDN and NFV make telecom networks more flexible, scalable, and easier to manage by turning many hardware functions into software. This allows for faster updates and more efficient use of resources.
- Free Space Optical Communication / Li-Fi: This area focuses on wireless communication using light. They will work on making these connections fast, secure, and reliable with low delay. Such technology can be especially useful for providing high-speed internet in rural areas, for connecting different parts of a network, and for defense purposes, where traditional cables are difficult to install.
- Renewable Energy in Telecom: The partners will explore how to use green energy sources (like solar or wind power) and information technology to make telecom equipment and towers use energy more wisely. This helps reduce the carbon footprint of communication networks, making them more sustainable for the environment.
This joint effort will significantly speed up research, design, and manufacturing of telecom products within India. It will also give India a stronger voice and more influence in shaping global telecom standards, especially in important international bodies like the ITU and 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). By developing India-specific standards and home-grown solutions, the country will become more self-reliant in critical telecom sectors. This helps secure vital communication infrastructure and reduces India's need to import expensive equipment from other countries, truly strengthening the nation's technological independence.
