The Army Training Command is associating with Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish a 5G Testbed at Military College of Telecommunication at Mhow, Indore which will allow the Indian Army to utilise the 5G technology for its operational use, especially along the country’s borders.

An MoU was signed on June 20 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.

This collaboration will give an impetus to induction of systems, devices and equipment using niche technology and use of AI-based algorithms for enhancing capabilities of Indian Armed Forces. Besides, this gives a boost for demand-based-research and encourages students, faculties and scientists to work in the area of 5G communications and development of military applications.

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 a 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 to enable Indian companies and start-ups to test their products, can also be successfully leveraged for other productive purposes.”

With the MoU, IIT Madras has agreed to provide consultancy, duly supported by research for feasibility studies and prototype development on 5G enabled future communications.

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