In a bid to foster innovation in 5G technology and propel the establishment of 5G Use Case Labs across India,(NTIPRIT) the National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training, under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), recently organized a two-day workshop at IIT Gandhinagar. The event, titled “5G Use Case Labs: Awareness and Pre-Commissioning Readiness,” was inaugurated by Ms. Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat, marking a significant step towards realizing the potential of 5G technology in India.
With over 100 participants representing 18 institutions from the Western region, the workshop aimed to ignite creativity in 5G technology use cases. Central to the agenda was the establishment of a hundred 5G Use Case Labs nationwide, an initiative funded by the DoT. Alongside IIT Gandhinagar, these labs will be set up in 18 institutions across the Western Region, showcasing a concerted effort towards technological advancement and innovation.
The Standards-R&D-Innovation (SRI) division at DoT headquarters is overseeing the policy, implementation, and capacity-building aspects of these labs to ensure their timely installation and effective utilization by faculty, students, and start-up communities. These labs are part of the 100 5G Labs announced during the India Mobile Congress last year, reflecting India’s commitment to technological excellence and innovation.
Ms. Mona Khandhar, in her address, emphasized the criticality of developing use cases for optimal utilization of 5G networks and urged for the expeditious rollout of the 100 5G Labs. She stressed the importance of enhanced coordination among academic institutions to leverage these labs effectively, commending the DoT for its proactive initiative. Professor Amit Prashant, Dean of Research and Development at IIT Gandhinagar, highlighted the transformative potential of innovation and lauded this initiative for its societal impact.
The workshop featured presentations on various potential use cases of 5G by startups and industry representatives, including M/s RJIO, M/s Elena Geo Systems, M/s CEQU Labs, M/s QPiAI India Pvt Limited, and M/s Finnara Technologies Pvt Limited. Discussions were held among faculty members, industry representatives, researchers, students, and DoT officers to explore the diverse applications of 5G technology across sectors such as enterprises, education, agriculture, health, and e-commerce.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring key stakeholders from the telecommunications sector, academia, and government bodies. The deliberations underscored the collaborative efforts required to harness the full potential of 5G technology for societal progress and economic growth, setting the stage for future innovation and development in the realm of telecommunications.
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