India’s ambitious steps toward becoming a global leader in telecommunications have reached a new milestone with the strategic collaboration among the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at IISc Bengaluru, the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). These entities have partnered to build and support an open-source codebase for not only 5G but also future technologies like 5G-Advanced and 6G. Funded by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), this initiative is founded on the Indian Open-Source Platform for end-to-end 5G Network (IOS-5GN) and aims to revolutionize the telecom landscape by fostering domestic innovation and self-reliance.
The IOS-MCN Consortium
The formal agreement marks the establishment of the Indian Open-Source Platform for Mobile Communication Networks (IOS-MCN), a consortium composed of academia and industry joining forces to accelerate the development of next-generation 5G networks. The consortium’s strategic partners FSID, FITT, and C-DAC are collaborating alongside 16 industry partners spanning sectors such as research & development, telecom, startups, and academics. This collaboration will leverage the combined strengths of these partners in research, technology development, and commercialization.
The IOS-MCN Operating Committee plays a central role in ensuring effective collaboration, overseeing project execution, providing technical direction, engaging partners, and administrative operations. The ultimate goal here is to produce a fully open-source mobile network stack that adheres to both global 3GPP and Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) standards. The consortium’s Governing Board includes major industry players like the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), Tejas Networks, and Simnovus. Presently, a team of more than 70 technical professionals is working on the IOS-MCN codebase, marking significant progress in open-source technology adaptation for telecom infrastructure.
Technical Achievements and Industry Collaboration
In a notable milestone, IOS-MCN released its initial version v0.1.0 named Agartala on January 31, featuring industry-compliant Open RAN-compliant radio access network software, service orchestration framework, and a 5G Core. This release was thoroughly tested with two Made in India ORAN-compliant radio units developed by VVDN Technologies and Lekha Wireless. The system demonstrated remarkable performance, managing downlink data rates of 600-700 Mbps and a latency of under 10 milliseconds on commercial mobile devices. Prominent figures such as Balan Gurumoorthy of FSID and Nikhil Agarwal of FITT have emphasized the importance of this collaboration in bridging the gap between academia and industry. They pointed out the initiative’s capacity to drive impactful innovation, thereby aiming for self-reliance in telecom infrastructure. Incorporating open-source technologies, the project is expected to create cost-effective and globally competitive systems that can effectively cater to domestic and international market needs. Kalai Selvan A from C-DAC highlighted the initiative’s potential to foster indigenous research and development, reducing dependence on proprietary technologies and encouraging collaboration among academic and industrial entities. The IOS-MCN agenda is heavily inclined towards helping India achieve self-reliance, while contributing robust solutions for global telecommunication infrastructures.
Future Impacts and Strategic Importance
The collaboration is poised to drive scalable and resilient mobile communication networks that can support a multitude of applications essential for future digital ecosystems. This approach underlines a dedication to innovation while promoting self-reliance, and bridging the academic-industrial capabilities to push the boundaries of telecom infrastructure. As mobile networks evolve rapidly, the resilience and adaptability of an open-source framework can offer significant advantages, allowing for flexible upgrades and customizable solutions based on changing needs. The focus on open-source technology also means greater transparency, collaborative improvements, and enhanced security features. This will be beneficial not only for Indian telecom operators but also for global entities looking for robust and cost-effective alternatives. The efforts towards developing a strong domestic 5G ecosystem will likely attract more investment, further accelerating growth and innovation in the telecom sector. As the initiative progresses, key areas such as regulatory compliance, spectrum management, and technical interoperability will require continued collaboration between the consortium and governmental bodies. By ensuring that all standards and regulatory requirements are met, IOS-MCN will contribute to creating a secure and efficient telecom environment that can handle the future’s demands.
Moving Ahead: Future Considerations and Strategic Outlook
India’s ambitious strides toward becoming a global telecommunications leader have achieved a significant milestone with the collaboration among several key institutions. The Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at IISc Bengaluru, the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have teamed up to develop and support an open-source codebase for 5G and future technologies like 5G-Advanced and 6G. Funded by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), this initiative is anchored on the Indian Open-Source Platform for end-to-end 5G Network (IOS-5GN). The project aims to transform the telecom industry by promoting domestic innovation and fostering self-reliance, marking a bold step in India’s technological advancement. This collaboration not only positions India at the forefront of next-generation telecom technology but also sets a strong example of public-private partnership in driving national progress.