The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Guwahati): A pivotal two-day workshop titled “5G Use Case Labs: Awareness and Pre-Commissioning Readiness” was inaugurated by Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, on February 12, 2024, at IIT Guwahati. Organized by the National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT) under the DoT in Ghaziabad, the workshop gathered over 100 participants from around 30 institutions in the eastern region.
The workshop was aimed at promoting innovation in 5G technology applications, with 100 5G Use Case Labs being established across India, funded by the DoT. A special focus was placed on the East Zone, where 30 institutions, including IIT Guwahati, are involved. The Standards-R&D-Innovation (SRI) division of the DoT headquarters is leading the policy, implementation, and capacity-building aspects related to these labs, ensuring timely installation and effective utilization by faculty, students, and startup communities. This initiative follows the Prime Minister’s directive to set up 100 5G Labs across the country, announced during the India Mobile Congress in October last year.
Dr. Neeraj Mittal, in his inaugural address, emphasized the importance of academic institutions in harnessing the potential of 5G Use Case Labs to develop new applications, aiming to extend the benefits of 5G technology to every segment of society and contribute to India’s development goals.
Secretary NEC, Shri K. Moses Chalai, also addressed the workshop, underscoring the need to leverage 5G use cases for the development of the North Eastern Region.
The workshop showcased various potential 5G applications presented by the industry, spanning government, enterprise, education, agriculture, health, and entertainment sectors. Notable presentations included Nayan Technologies’ solution for civic amenities data, Nimbal Vision’s water-saving technology, Perkant Technology’s health solution “Abhayparimit”, and TechXR’s affordable AR-VR solutions.
The event facilitated deliberations among faculty from institutions like IIT Madras and IIT Guwahati, industry representatives, startups, researchers, students, and DoT officers. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the IoT Lab at IIT Guwahati.
The workshop represents a significant step in India’s journey towards embracing 5G technology, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government. This initiative is expected to drive innovation and practical applications of 5G technology, enhancing various sectors and contributing to the nation’s technological advancement.
