C-DOT and IIT Hyderabad Join Hands to Advance Communication Research

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an Advanced Communication Technologies Centre of Excellence. This partnership aims to accelerate indigenous research and innovation in next-generation fields such as 5G, 6G, and quantum communication. By bridging the gap between academic research and industry requirements, the initiative seeks to strengthen India's global position in the telecommunications and digital technology landscape.

The newly established Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IIT Hyderabad will serve as a dedicated platform for research, innovation, and capacity building in advanced communication technologies. Under the guidance of C-DOT, the premier telecom R&D organization under India’s Ministry of Communications, the centre will focus on critical areas including wireless communication, 5G Advanced, 6G technologies, and AI-enabled networking. Additionally, the facility will explore quantum communication, cybersecurity, and post-quantum security systems to ensure the development of secure and reliable indigenous solutions that align with global standards.

A primary objective of the collaboration is to align university research with real-world industry needs, facilitating the translation of innovations into practical applications. The CoE will provide students, researchers, and startups with technical guidance, intellectual property support, and prototype development facilities. Notably, the partnership builds on previous successful collaborations, such as C-DOT’s work with the IIT Hyderabad-incubated startup WAISIG to develop 5G Open RAN solutions. This ecosystem is designed to help startups transform innovative technologies into market-ready products, further bolstering the domestic telecommunications supply chain.

This facility marks C-DOT’s fourth Centre of Excellence, joining existing hubs at IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, and IIT Roorkee to form a nationwide research network. Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, emphasized that integrating academic research with deployment capabilities is a strategic step toward creating globally competitive telecom solutions. Prof. B.S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, added that the partnership allows faculty and students to contribute to strategically important technologies. Ultimately, the initiative supports national programs like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India by reducing dependence on foreign technology and enhancing the country's overall digital capabilities.