India has expanded its research infrastructure for next-generation telecommunications with the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at IIT (BHU), Varanasi, through a partnership with C-DOT, the research and development centre of the Department of Telecommunications.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on 23 October 2026. The ceremony was attended by C-DOT Executive Vice President Pankaj Kumar Dalela and IIT (BHU) Director Professor Amit Patra, along with faculty members and senior officials. The signing was followed by the inauguration of the centre.
Research priorities: 5G Advanced and 6G
One of the centre’s main areas of work will be advanced wireless communications, including technologies being developed for future 5G Advanced and 6G networks.
The programme is expected to explore very large-scale Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems, which use multiple transmitting and receiving antennas to improve wireless communication capacity and performance.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Future mobile networks: Research in 5G Advanced and 6G can help India develop expertise in technologies that may underpin future connectivity. Cybersecurity: Research into quantum and post-quantum communication technologies can contribute to preparation for evolving digital security challenges. Artificial intelligence: AI-native network research could support more automated and adaptable communication infrastructure. Student and researcher opportunities: Collaboration between a national telecom R&D institution and a university can provide opportunities for advanced training and applied research. Indigenous technology: Domestic research can strengthen India’s ability to design and develop communications technologies rather than depending entirely on overseas solutions. These are potential benefits. The centre’s actual contribution will depend on the quality of its research, the technologies developed and their eventual adoption.
Another area is Integrated Sensing and Communication. This approach explores how communication networks might also use radio signals to sense aspects of their surrounding environment, potentially supporting applications beyond conventional data transmission.
The centre will also focus on AI-native communication networks and devices, an area that explores how artificial intelligence can be integrated into network design, operation and optimisation.
These are stated research priorities, not evidence that the centre has already developed commercially deployable 6G technology.
Quantum and post-quantum communication
Quantum technologies and cybersecurity form another major part of the centre’s proposed research agenda.
Quantum communication research explores techniques for transmitting or protecting information using principles of quantum physics. Post-quantum communication and cryptography, meanwhile, focus on methods designed to remain secure against future attacks from sufficiently powerful quantum computers.
The distinction matters because quantum communication and post-quantum cryptography are related to security but are not the same technology. The centre’s remit includes both quantum and post-quantum communication technologies.
Research in these areas could support India’s longer-term efforts to strengthen the security and resilience of its digital communications infrastructure. However, specific research outcomes, project timelines and deployment targets have not been disclosed in the announcement.
Connecting universities with industry
The partnership is intended to bring together researchers, faculty members, students and telecom specialists from C-DOT and IIT (BHU).
The objective is to create a platform where academic research can address real-world communications challenges and where students can gain experience with emerging technologies.
Such partnerships can help move ideas from research laboratories towards prototypes, testing and potential industry applications. Their success depends on research funding, access to facilities, collaboration with technology users and the ability to develop solutions that meet technical and commercial requirements.
The announcement does not specify the centre’s budget, staffing levels, number of research projects or expected commercialisation timeline.
Expanding India’s telecom research network
The new facility brings C-DOT’s network of Centres of Excellence to six. According to the Department of Telecommunications announcement, the existing collaborations include IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Roorkee, IIT Hyderabad and IISc Bengaluru through the Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID).
The additional centre broadens the network connecting academic institutions with India’s telecom research ecosystem. It also creates another institutional base for developing skills in advanced wireless systems, AI-enabled networks and communications security.
The practical value of the initiative will become clearer as research projects, technical demonstrations and measurable outputs emerge.
