TEC signs MoU with IIT Kharagpur for collaboration on Joint Studies and Technical Contributions in Telecom Technologies

Newdelhi:25/2/26:The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) to collaborate on joint studies, research, and technical contributions in advanced telecom technologies and global standardisation activities.

The partnership aims to develop India-specific standards in future network technologies such as 6G, Optical communication, NTNs along with Joint collaboration in telecom technologies such as Passive Optical Network technology, Advanced Antenna Systems, MIMO technologies for 5G and future wireless networks, EMF monitoring solutions, etc. The partnership also aims to enhance India’s participation in International Telecommunication Union’s Standardization sector (ITU-T) & other Global forums.

The MoU was signed on 23.02.2026 at IIT-Kharagpur by Shri Kamal Kumar Agarwal, DDG (FA), TEC, DoT and Prof. Debdeep Mukhopadhyay, Associate Dean (R&D) in the presence of Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Prof. Goutam Das, Dr. Debarati Sen from IIT Kharagpur and Shri Souvick Kumar Das, DDG (RTEC).

The partnership creates a formal framework for TEC to work closely with IIT Kharagpur on next-generation telecom and standardisation activities.

Key Areas of Collaboration:

• 6G: Exploration of 6G architecture and enabling technologies with contributions to research, pre-standardization and standardization activities in global forums such as ITU.

• AI-Enabled Telecom Systems: Joint research & development and standardization of EMF monitoring solutions, including smart IoT sensor development through AI & Safety Lab frameworks, for enhanced public safety and regulatory compliance.
• Radio, Antenna & MIMO Technologies: Collaborative research in advanced antenna systems, massive MIMO and related radio access technologies.
• Satellite & Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs): Joint studies in satellite communication systems, NTNs, HAPS and satellite-terrestrial integration, including disaster-resilient and emergency connectivity solutions.

This partnership aims to accelerate indigenous R&D and increase India’s influence in global standardisation processes by strengthening India’s contributions to global standardisation bodies such as ITU.

This collaboration will further the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening indigenous research, design and manufacturing in telecom – developing India-specific standards, test frameworks and home-grown solutions that bolster national self-reliance, secure critical communications infrastructure and reduce dependence on imports.

About TEC

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) is the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. TEC formulates technical standards, specifications, and conformity assessment requirements for telecom equipment and networks in India, ensuring interoperability, quality, and alignment with global best practices. TEC represents India in international fora such as the ITU-T, ITU-R and coordinates National Working Groups for global standardization activities

About IIT Kharagpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) is a premier institute of national importance with strong academic and research capabilities in advanced telecommunications, 5G/6G technologies, optical communications, artificial intelligence applications in telecom, and emerging ICT domains.