Key facts
- BSNL and IIT Kanpur signed an MoU for next-generation telecom technologies.
- The partnership will focus on joint research, development, testing, deployment, and commercialization.
- The collaboration aims to advance communication technologies and build future telecom infrastructure for India.
- It will complement BSNL's Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology efforts.
- BSNL is also developing a nationwide Bharat Mesh Network.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the research, development, testing, deployment, and commercialization of next-generation telecommunications technologies.
A. Robert Jerard Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, announced the partnership, stating that it will focus on advanced communication technologies and support the development of future telecom infrastructure tailored to India's specific needs.
The collaboration is expected to complement BSNL's existing work in Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology, enhancing the integration of broadcasting and digital communication infrastructure. Ravi highlighted BSNL's ambition to create a nationwide wireless connectivity framework known as the "Bharat Mesh Network," which aims to provide mobile users with access regardless of their technology, leveraging multiple technologies including 4G and Wi-Fi.
Furthermore, BSNL is actively rolling out the BharatNet project and is transitioning to an all-IP platform. The company intends to utilize IIT Kanpur's expertise to develop future-ready products and technologies, particularly for rural areas, contributing to indigenous technology development and the creation of robust digital infrastructure across the country.