DoT’s TEC Partners With IIT Hyderabad For Next-Gen Telecom R&D & Global Standards
Hyderabad, October 25, 2025 – The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), which operates under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad). This partnership is set to enhance collaborative efforts in research, studies, and technical contributions focusing on advanced telecom technologies and global standardization.
Objectives of the Partnership
The MoU was signed on October 24, 2025, at IIT Hyderabad, and is expected to significantly boost India’s role in the development of next-generation telecom systems and global standardization initiatives. The key objectives of this collaboration include:
- Developing India-specific standards and testing frameworks.
- Exploring emerging network technologies such as 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs).
- Enhancing India’s participation in the International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Groups.
Research Focus Areas
The collaboration will focus on several critical areas within the telecom sector, aiming to foster innovation and research in future communication technologies. The specific focus areas include:
Mobile Communication Technologies
The partners will engage in joint research on:
- Network architecture, signalling, and protocols for 4G, 5G, and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems.
- Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) and network disaggregation, which will address open interfaces, orchestration, and interoperability.
6G Architecture and Enabling Technologies
The partnership will also explore:
- 6G architecture and enabling technologies.
- Contributions to international standardization bodies such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs)
Research on Non-Terrestrial Networks will cover:
- High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS).
- The integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
Health and Compliance Studies
Additionally, joint studies will examine:
- Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) exposure.
- Compliance frameworks and potential health impacts associated with new telecom technologies.
Significance of the Collaboration
This collaboration is expected to accelerate indigenous research and development (R&D) efforts in India, thereby strengthening the country’s influence in global telecom standardization processes. By deepening participation in international bodies such as the ITU and 3GPP, India aims to position itself as a leader in the telecom sector.
Conclusion
The partnership between DoT’s TEC and IIT Hyderabad marks a significant step forward in advancing India’s capabilities in telecom research and development. By focusing on emerging technologies and global standards, this collaboration is poised to make a substantial impact on the future of telecommunications in India and beyond.
Note: This article is based on the latest updates from KNN and aims to provide insights into the ongoing developments in India’s telecom sector.
