The centre has established a 5G laboratory at the National Institute of Technolgy (NIT) in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, under a nationwide initiative of the Department of Telecommunications aimed at strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem.
With this addition, a total of eight such laboratories have now been set up across the northeastern region to support the development of next-generation telecom technologies.
The facilities will offer students and researchers hands-on exposure to advanced technologies including 5G networks, internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing and other emerging digital applications. The lab is expected to contribute significantly to skill development, research and the creation of region-specific technological solutions, the statement said.
The initiative is aligned with the centre’s Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, with a focus on building indigenous capabilities in next-generation communication technologies and increasing youth participation in advanced research.
Applications developed through these labs are likely to support key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, smart infrastructure and disaster management, which are critical to the region’s development.
NIT Meghalaya lab will also promote stronger academia-industry collaboration, enabling real-world experimentation with 5G use cases and fostering innovation-led growth in the state.