India: TEC and IIT Bombay Accelerate 6G and Advanced Networks

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India, has entered into a significant collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay). This partnership aims to enhance research and development in advanced telecommunications technologies, particularly focusing on 6G and other next-generation networks.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

The two organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together on joint studies and technical contributions. This agreement will facilitate the development of standards and testing frameworks that are specifically tailored to the Indian context. The collaboration will explore several future network technologies, including:

• 6G
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Next-Generation Networks (NGN)
• Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Objectives of the Collaboration

The primary objective of this partnership is to boost India’s engagement in the International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Standardisation Sector (ITU-T) technical study groups. This initiative is designed to strengthen India’s influence and active participation on the global telecom stage.

Key areas of focus for the collaboration include:

• Research and pre-standardisation studies on 6G architecture and related technologies.
• Contributions to standardisation efforts within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and other global forums.
• Joint studies on telecommunications core networks.
• Exploration of AI applications in telecommunications.
• Development of AI-driven applications for intelligent networks, automation, and predictive maintenance.

Indigenous Development and Self-Reliance

The collaboration also aims to design and develop indigenous, low-cost satellite communication terminals, which will focus on applications in remote sensing and rural connectivity. This aligns with India’s broader goals of promoting self-reliance in the telecom sector through the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The partnership seeks to:

• Accelerate indigenous research and development.
• Enhance India’s contributions to international standards bodies.
• Develop India-specific standards and test frameworks.
• Increase national self-reliance and secure communications infrastructure.
• Reduce reliance on imports in the telecommunications sector.

Bharat 6G Vision

India’s “Bharat 6G Vision” aims to position the country as a global supplier of cutting-edge telecom technologies. The rapid deployment of 5G has created a strong foundation for the adoption of 6G, supported by government initiatives such as:

• Funding for 6G THz and Advanced Optical Communication testbeds.
• Establishing 100 academic 5G labs.
• Approving over 100 research proposals focused on 6G network ecosystems.

This dynamic ecosystem includes innovators, researchers, startups, and policymakers, all working towards a common goal. The telecom sector is projected to contribute nearly US$1.2 trillion to India’s GDP by 2035, with aspirations to secure 10% of global 6G patents and capitalize on a rapidly growing satellite communications market.

Global Collaborations

In recent years, TEC and IIT Bombay have signed MoUs with leading research alliances worldwide, as well as national collaborations with organizations such as the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). These partnerships are designed to foster secure, resilient, and globally competitive telecom technologies.

International 6G Symposium 2025

At the International 6G Symposium 2025, the Made-in-India 4G stack was showcased as a milestone that lays the groundwork for a 6G-ready telecom infrastructure. The symposium emphasized the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and a homegrown telecom ecosystem.

Key outcomes from the symposium included:

• A Joint Declaration on 6G Principles.
• Strategic whitepapers addressing the spectrum roadmap.
• AI-driven network evolution.
• Next-gen telecom power and 6G architecture and security frameworks.

Conclusion

The collaboration between TEC and IIT Bombay marks a significant step towards advancing India’s telecommunications capabilities and establishing a robust foundation for future technologies. By focusing on indigenous development and global standardization, India aims to enhance its position in the global telecom landscape.

Note: This article is based on information available as of November 2025 and may be subject to updates as developments in the telecom sector progress.