Army Training Command (ARTRAC) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish a 5G Testbed at the Military College of Telecommunication at Mhow, Indore on Monday. The MoU was signed by Lt. Gen MU Nair, AVSM, SM, Commandant, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, on behalf of the Army Training Command Shimla, and Prof V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, in the presence of Army Officials and faculty of the Institute.
The collaboration aims to facilitate the Indian Army to utilise the 5G technology for its operational use, especially along its borders. Additionally, it also hopes to encourage students, faculties and scientists to undertake research in the area of 5G communications and the development of military applications.
While Highlighting the importance of this partnership, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, ZOHO Chair Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, who is heading the 5G Testbed project, said, “Latest communication technologies like 5G have great relevance to the armed forces and it is important for their officers to acquaint themselves with such developments. This project to set up a 5G Testbed at MCTE will enable the students and trainees at the College to become thoroughly familiar with the advanced technologies embedded in the 5G system. It is an example of how the 5G Testbed developed with support from DoT will enable Indian companies and start-ups to test their products, and also successfully be leveraged for other productive purposes.”
This MoU will accelerate the introduction of speciality technology-based systems, devices, and equipment, as well as the application of AI-based algorithms to improve the Indian Armed Forces’ capabilities. It will also encourage collaboration and cooperative research, as well as the exchange of ideas for new technology development.
The MCTE-IIT Madras collaboration intends to help the Indian Army achieve ‘Atmanirbharta’ in the field of communications by providing a testing facility for the Tri-Services and acting as a catalyst for R&D. IIT Madras will provide consulting for feasibility studies and prototype development on 5G-enabled future communications under the terms of the MoU, which will be backed up by research.
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