Indian Open-Source Initiative for 5G, 5G-Advanced, and 6G Networks
The Indian government has taken a significant step forward in promoting the development of 5G, 5G-Advanced, and 6G mobile networks through the collaboration of key research institutions and industry partners. 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 signed a unique collaboration agreement to create and support production-grade open-source codebase for these cutting-edge mobile networks. **Indian Open-Source Initiative**
This initiative is supported by seed funding from the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), which highlights the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and reducing reliance on proprietary technologies. The Indian Open-Source Platform for End-to-End 5G Network (IOS-5GN) serves as the foundation for this collaboration, providing a robust framework for the development of 5G networks in India. **Indian Open-Source Platform for Mobile Communication Networks (IOS-MCN)**
The Indian Open-Source Platform for Mobile Communication Networks (IOS-MCN) is a consortium of academia and industry partners, aiming to accelerate indigenous 5G and future technology development. The strategic partners, including FSID, FITT, and C-DAC, bring together their expertise in research, technology development, and commercialization to drive the success of this initiative. The IOS-MCN consortium includes 16 industry partners from various sectors, including research and development, telecom, startups, and academia. These partners are committed to developing a fully open-source, production-grade mobile network stack that conforms to the global 3GPP and Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) standards. **Key Features of IOS-MCN**
The Indian Open-Source Platform for Mobile Communication Networks (IOS-MCN) has several key features that make it an attractive option for the development of 5G and future networks:
• Fully open-source and production-grade mobile network stack
• Compliance with global 3GPP and O-RAN standards
• Service orchestration framework and Open RAN-compliant radio access network software
• 5G Core tested with Made in India ORAN-compliant radio units developed by VVDN Technologies and Lekha Wireless
• Downlink data rates of 600–700 Mbps and latency of under 10 milliseconds
**Technical Achievements**
The distributed team of over 70 technical experts working on the IOS-MCN codebase has achieved several notable technical milestones:
• Release of IOS-MCN Agartala v0.1.0, including Open RAN-compliant radio access network software and service orchestration framework
• Testing of the 5G Core with Made in India ORAN-compliant radio units
• Demonstration of downlink data rates of 600–700 Mbps and latency of under 10 milliseconds using commercial mobile devices
**Key Partners and Stakeholders**
The Indian Open-Source Platform for Mobile Communication Networks (IOS-MCN) is backed by a strong coalition of partners and stakeholders, including:
• FSID at IISc Bengaluru
• FITT at IIT Delhi
• C-DAC
• 16 industry partners from research and development, telecom, startups, and academia
These partners bring their unique expertise and resources to the table, ensuring the success and scalability of the IOS-MCN initiative. **Benefits and Impact**
The Indian Open-Source Initiative for 5G, 5G-Advanced, and 6G Networks is expected to have a significant impact on the development of indigenous 5G and future technology solutions. By leveraging open-source technologies, the consortium aims to create cost-effective and globally competitive 5G and 6G solutions, reducing reliance on proprietary technologies and promoting self-reliance in telecom infrastructure. The partnership will drive impactful innovation, bridging academia and industry to accelerate next-generation telecom solutions. The Indian government’s support for this initiative is a testament to its commitment to fostering innovation and reducing reliance on proprietary technologies. As the Indian Open-Source Platform for Mobile Communication Networks (IOS-MCN) continues to evolve, it is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of mobile networks in India and beyond. The success of this initiative depends on the collaboration and commitment of the partner organizations, as well as the support of the Indian government. With the right alignment of resources and expertise, the Indian Open-Source Initiative for 5G, 5G-Advanced, and 6G Networks has the potential to drive significant innovation and progress in the field of mobile communications. The benefits of this initiative are numerous and far-reaching, and will likely have a lasting impact on the Indian telecom industry. By promoting open-source technologies and reducing reliance on proprietary solutions, the consortium aims to create a more open, scalable, and resilient mobile communication network. This will not only benefit India but also contribute to the global development of 5G and future networks. This initiative is a significant step forward in promoting the development of 5G, 5G-Advanced, and 6G mobile networks in India. By leveraging open-source technologies and promoting collaboration between academia and industry, the Indian Open-Source Platform for Mobile Communication Networks (IOS-MCN) is poised to drive significant innovation and progress in the field of mobile communications. Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals
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