Collaborations to enhance India’s contributions to ITU-T
The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-Hyderabad) to undertake joint technical studies and collaborative research on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Smart Cities and Quantum Communications.
“The collaboration aims to develop India-specific standards and test frameworks, explore future network technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Smart Cities, and Quantum Communications, and enhance India’s contributions to ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Standardization Sector) Study Groups,” the Ministry of Communications said.
The MoU was signed on 24 Oct 2025 by Amit Kumar Srivastava, DDG (Mobile Technologies), TEC and Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIITH in presence of Syed Tausif Abbas, Sr. DDG and Head (TEC) and senior officials of IIIT-Hyderabad at IIIT-Hyderabad.
This MoU establishes a formal framework for TEC to work closely with IIIT-Hyderabad on next-generation telecom technologies and standardisation activities.
Key Areas of Collaboration:
AI-driven Telecom Networks: Development of AI-based telecom applications for intelligent networks, automation, and predictive maintenance, with a roadmap towards realizing AI-native capabilities in future 6G systems;
mmWave and Cognitive Radio: Collaborative research in mmWave communications, beamforming, and cognitive radio technologies;
Smart Cities: Joint studies and technical contributions in IoT, oneM2M, and digital twin technologies for smart cities;
Quantum Communications: Joint studies and technical contributions in quantum communication technologies;
Cyber Security: Collaborative research in cyber security to enhance the security and resilience of telecom networks.
This partnership aims to accelerate indigenous R&D and increase India’s influence in global standardisation processes by strengthening India’s contributions to global standardization bodies such as ITU and 3GPP.
The collaboration will further the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening indigenous research, design and manufacturing in telecom – developing India-specific standards, test frameworks and home-grown solutions that bolster national self-reliance, secure critical communications infrastructure, and reduce dependence on imports.
The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) formulates technical standards, specifications, and conformity assessment requirements for telecom equipment and networks in India, ensuring interoperability, quality, and alignment with global best practices. TEC represents India in international fora such as the ITU-T, ITU-R and coordinates National Working Groups for global standardization activities.
The International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Hyderabad) is a premier institute of national importance with strong academic and research capabilities in advanced telecommunications, 5G/6G technologies, artificial intelligence applications in telecom, and emerging ICT domains. It is an autonomous university, founded as a not-for-profit public private partnership (N-PPP) in 1998, and is the first IIIT in India under this model. Fiinews.com
