Govt's DoT selects NIT Silchar for "100 5g Labs Initiative": Likely to be awarded in PM's presence on Oct 27

The National Institute of Technology Silchar (NIT Silchar) has been selected for the esteemed “100 5G Labs Initiative” launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. This momentous recognition positions NIT Silchar as a prominent hub for technology development, cementing its place at the forefront of India’s educational landscape.

The “100 5G Labs Initiative” is a visionary program introduced by the DoT in collaboration with the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Its launch coincides with the highly anticipated Indian Mobile Congress 2023 (IMC-2023), scheduled to take place from October 27th to October 29th, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. IMC-2023 is billed as Asia’s largest tech exposition, attracting industry leaders and innovators from around the world to showcase the latest advancements in digital technology.

This prestigious event will see the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi inaugurating the proceedings, adding immense significance to the occasion. In a virtual ceremony at the Bhupen Hazarika Auditorium/Guest-house Auditorium during IMC-2023 on October 27th, the DoT plans to officially confer the coveted 5G Lab Award upon NIT Silchar.

Professor R H Laskar, Head of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at NIT Silchar, expressed his enthusiasm for this opportunity, stating, “This momentous occasion promises to bring unparalleled visibility to our institution and establish a vital connection with the global digital ecosystem. To make the most of our participation in IMC-2023, we aim to have a strong representation from our institution. As the Head of the Department, I extend a warm invitation to you, our esteemed students, and faculty colleagues at NIT Silchar, to join us in attending the address by the Hon’ble Prime Minister during IMC 2023.”

The “100 5G Labs Initiative” was conceptualized in alignment with the budget announcement made by Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Finance, in 2023-2024. It aims to establish one hundred labs for developing applications using 5G services in engineering institutions across India. These labs will pave the way for new opportunities, business models, and employment prospects in diverse fields, including smart classrooms, precision farming, intelligent transport systems, and healthcare applications.

According to the DoT’s announcement, these labs will be instrumental in fostering competencies and engagement in 5G technologies among students and the academic community. They will facilitate undergraduate and postgraduate projects in 5G environments, encourage academia-industry collaboration for ideating and developing 5G use cases, and provide local access to 5G test setups for startups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the vicinity of the beneficiary institutions. This initiative also paves the way for making India’s academia and startup ecosystem 6G-ready.

The DoT Government of India has pledged robust financial support for the “100 5G Labs Initiative.” The government will fund 80% of the capital expenditure (CAPEX) required for setting up the labs and cover 100% of operational expenditure (OPEX) for the next four years. The beneficiary institutions, including NIT Silchar, will contribute the remaining 20% of CAPEX, determined through financial bids.

The 5G lab equipment will encompass a wide range of components, such as 5G Standalone infrastructure (mid-band), 5G SIM cards, dongles, IoT gateways, routers, and application servers to meet the lab’s needs, along with a management dashboard. Ownership of these lab assets will be retained by the beneficiary institution, both during and after project completion. The institutions will also be responsible for providing essential facilities, including space, power supply, internet and intranet connectivity, and other equipment, as well as local tech manpower for maintenance.

This landmark initiative signifies a significant stride towards India’s 5G readiness and paves the way for innovation and growth in various sectors, reinforcing NIT Silchar’s position as a leading institution in the country’s technological landscape. As the nation embraces the era of 5G, these labs could play a pivotal role in shaping India’s digital future.