TEC Signs MoU with IIT Bombay to Drive 6G, AI-Enabled Networks, and Next-Gen Telecom Standardization

Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Indigenous R&D and India’s Role in Global Telecom Standards

Mumbai, November 7: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) to collaborate on joint studies, research, and technical contributions in next-generation telecom technologies and international standardization.

The partnership aims to accelerate innovation in 6G, AI-driven networks, core telecom systems, satellite communications, and signalling protocols, while boosting India’s participation in global forums such as the ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Standardization Sector) and 3GPP.

The MoU was signed at IIT Bombay by Amit Kumar Srivastava, DDG (Mobile Technologies), TEC, and Prof. Sachin Patwardhan, Dean (R&D), IIT Bombay, in the presence of Syed Tausif Abbas, Sr. DDG & Head (TEC); Jitendra B. Chavan, DDG (WR TEC) Mumbai; and Prof. Prasanna S. Chaporkar, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay.

Key Areas of Collaboration

• 6G Technologies: Joint research on 6G architecture and enabling technologies, with pre-standardization studies and technical contributions to global forums like 3GPP.
• Core Networks: Collaborative studies to advance India’s capabilities in core telecom infrastructure.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Development of AI-driven telecom applications for automation, predictive maintenance, and intelligent network management, paving the way for AI-native 6G systems.
• Satellite Communication Systems: Design and development of indigenous, low-cost satellite terminals for rural and remote connectivity applications.
• Signalling Protocols: Joint contributions to signalling requirements across NGN, VoIP, IMT-2020/2030, and emerging architectures.

This collaboration establishes a formal framework for TEC and IIT Bombay to strengthen India’s influence in global standardization processes and foster indigenous R&D, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. It seeks to develop India-specific standards, test frameworks, and home-grown solutions to enhance telecom security, reduce import dependency, and promote innovation-driven self-reliance.

About TEC
The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) is the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications. It formulates standards, specifications, and conformity requirements for telecom equipment and networks in India, ensuring interoperability, quality, and alignment with international best practices.

About IIT Bombay
Recognized as an Institute of Eminence, IIT Bombay is globally acclaimed for excellence in education and cutting-edge research in engineering, science, management, and design. It has deep expertise in telecommunications, core networks, signalling systems, 5G/6G technologies, and AI applications in telecom convergence.