India Working on Indigenous AI-Powered Telecom Technologies: DoT Official

Time of India

a day ago

HighlightsSanjeev K. Bidwai, Member (Technology) of the Department of Telecommunications, emphasized that artificial intelligence will be a foundational technology for future networks, enabling services such as immersive experiences and autonomous operations. India's expanding artificial intelligence startup ecosystem, supported by a conducive policy framework, positions the country as a global leader in the development of AI-native telecommunications networks. Institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Telematics, are working on AI frameworks for automated network management, including a real-time 5G testbed compliant with Open Radio Access Network standards.
Artificial intelligence will serve as a foundational technology for future networks, with AI-native systems enabling new services like immersive experiences, autonomous operations and integrated sensing, a DoT official has said.
Sanjeev K. Bidwai, Member (Technology),
Department of Telecommunications
, on Wednesday said institutions like
C-DoT
, IITs and other leading R&D centers are working on indigenous
AI-powered telecom technologies
, actively contributing to international standards through platforms like ITU-T, ITU-R and 3GPP.
"According to ITU-R's vision document M.2160, AI will be a key enabler for future networks, from
intelligent radio interface management
to cross-domain orchestration and personalised service delivery.
"
AI native networks
will not only manage complexity but will unlock new service frontiers, immersive digital experiences, autonomous systems, integrated sensing and on-demand slicing for multi-tasks. This evolution is not just technological, it is strategic," he said.
India is home to one of the world's largest and most dynamic telecom markets, offering a rich and diverse testing ground for AI native solutions, Bidwai said during the 3rd meeting of the
ITU-T focus group
on AI native for telecommunication networks here.
India's expanding AI startup ecosystem, backed by a supportive policy framework in AI, data governance and digital public infrastructure, makes it ready and a true global leader in shaping the future of AI native networks.
"IIT Jodhpur, in partnership with the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT), is developing AI frameworks for automated network management for detection and diagnostics.
"This includes establishing a real-time
5G and beyond testbed
compliant with ORAN standards. Further, DOT has signed a letter of intent with ITU to explore AI-driven
digital twin technologies
for infrastructure planning," Bidwai said.
He said DoT is positioning India at the forefront of AI native networking, fostering innovation and contributing to the evaluation of intelligent autonomous telecommunication networks.