100 5G Labs
Context:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated the establishment of 100 5G Labs across educational institutions in India to promote innovation and engagement in 5G technologies among students and start-up communities.
Relevance:
GS-3 (Science and Technology)
Highlights:
- Aim: To simplify the experimental licence requirements for these institutions, facilitating smoother operations and fostering innovation in the 5G domain.
- DoT has awarded ‘100 5G Use Case Labs‘ to educational institutions nationwide.
- The main objective is to inculcate competencies and engagement in 5G technologies among students and start-up communities.
- The labs will use 5G frequency bands to conduct experiments and test use cases. Hence, they need to obtain an Experimental (Non-Radiating) license category from the DoT to ensure interference-free operations to licensed TSPs.
- This license is currently being issued in a “Self-declaration Mode” from the Saralsanchar portal of DoT through the National Single Window System (NSWS).
Bharat 5G Portal:
- It is a platform that serves the interests of startups, industry and academia in quantum, 6G, IPR and 5G domains comprehensively.
- It also features the Future Tech-Experts registration portal in collaboration with PANIIT USA.
- It is aimed to help and advise the Indian Telecom ecosystem to advance the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- The portal is a one-stop solution for all quantum, IPR, PoCs/Pilot, 5G and 6G-related works, capturing academic R&D developments, industry standards, OEMs, startups/MSMEs, and subject matter experts.
Facts for Prelims:
- 5G: It is the fifth generation of mobile communications that succeeds 4G, 3G, and 2G systems. It promises improved end-user experiences with seamless coverage, high data rates, low latency, enhanced performance, and reliable communication. Additionally, 5G technology boosts energy, spectrum, and network efficiency, along with the efficiency of other systems.
- As per Ericsson Mobility Report: India will have 700 million 5G users by the end of 2028.
- BharatNet Phase-III: It aims to provide broadband connectivity to all gram panchayats (village councils) in the country.
