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In a landmark move towards fostering Indigenous technology, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a leading Telecom R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has entered into a significant agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi (IIT Mandi). This collaboration aims to advance the development of ‘Cell-Free’ 6G Access Points, marking a major step in the evolution of telecommunications technology in India.
The agreement, signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, underscores the government’s commitment to supporting domestic companies, startups, academic institutions, and R&D organisations involved in telecommunications innovation. The TTDF scheme is instrumental in facilitating the development and commercialisation of affordable broadband and mobile services, thus addressing the digital divide across India.
Unlike traditional mobile networks that rely on cellular topologies with distinct cell boundaries served by individual base stations, the ‘Cell-Free’ Massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output) technology aims to transform this paradigm. This advanced approach deploys multiple access points (APs) across extensive areas, allowing several APs to simultaneously serve multiple user devices.
This method ensures continuous connectivity, eradicates dead sones, improves signal strength, and significantly enhances data speeds, thereby providing a superior user experience, particularly in densely populated regions.
The project will focus on developing access points for the forthcoming 6G radio access networks, with an emphasis on contributing to 6G standardisation, fostering commercialisation, generating intellectual property rights (IPRs), and cultivating a skilled workforce to support the emerging 6G ecosystem.
The agreement signing ceremony was attended by key figures, including Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, Dr Abhay Kumar Sah from IIT Roorkee, Dr Adarsh Patel from IIT Mandi, and Dr Pankaj Kumar Dalela, Director of C-DOT. Dr Sah and Dr Patel expressed their commitment to advancing next-generation communication technologies and conveyed their appreciation to the DoT and C-DOT for the opportunity to collaborate on this pivotal research. They highlighted how this initiative aligns with the Bharat 6G Vision, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to establish India as a global leader in 6G technology.
Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay emphasised the importance of indigenously designed technologies in addressing the specific communication needs of India’s diverse landscape. He reaffirmed C-DOT’s dedication to generating IPRs in the 6G domain and advancing emerging technologies.
The representatives from C-DOT, IIT Roorkee, and IIT Mandi expressed their enthusiasm for this collaborative endeavour, underscoring their shared goal of advancing India’s 6G vision and contributing to the nation’s technological prowess.
OpenGov Asia reported that the newly launched Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G Centre of Excellence at IIT Madras Research Park aims to spearhead the development and rollout of 6G technology, targeting unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity.
This initiative, part of the Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE)-India, will foster collaboration between academia and industry experts to innovate and set global standards for 6G networks. The centre will also connect with the 5G Test Bed at IIT Madras, established through a collaborative effort to test new 5G technologies.
Aligned with India’s “Bharat 6G Vision,” which seeks to establish the country as a leader in 6G by 2030, the centre will focus on research and development that supports affordability, sustainability, and global technological leadership. Additionally, the International Telecommunication Union’s ‘IMT 2030 Framework’ will guide global 6G research, emphasizing key principles like sustainability and resilience.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has funded advanced testbeds to support this research, while ongoing 5G projects continue to explore sustainable solutions for rural development.
India is committed to ensuring widespread internet connectivity to drive inclusive digital transformation, ensuring that every citizen benefits from technological advancements.
