The Union Minister for Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated a workshop on 5G Use Case Labs at the 10th India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, marking a major push to turn academic research into practical telecommunications solutions. The initiative, which has established 100 laboratories across Indian academic institutions, aims to strengthen the country’s capacity in fifth-generation and sixth-generation mobile networks while creating a pipeline of skilled innovators.
The Department of Telecommunications has positioned these labs as a bridge between university research and industry needs, allowing students and researchers to experiment with emerging technologies and develop real-world applications in areas such as artificial intelligence-native networks, network slicing, and Internet of Things connectivity.
Key facts
- 100 5G Use Case Labs established across academic institutions with government funding of Rs 97.67 crore
- All 100 labs became operational by April 2025
- By August 2026, more than 17,400 students had used the labs
- 97 institutions conducting 5G-related courses with over 21,000 enrolled students
- 634 products and use cases developed to date
- 158 intellectual property filings submitted; 32 patents granted
- 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026 received 1,400 proposals from teams across India
- 50 teams selected for seed funding; 35 showcasing innovations at IMC 2026
What the 100 5G Use Case Labs initiative covers
Launched in October 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 100 5G Use Case Labs represent a structured effort to develop telecommunications expertise within India’s higher education system. Each lab provides hands-on infrastructure and resources for students and faculty to work on practical problems in 5G technology, from network design to cybersecurity and spectrum management.
The labs serve multiple purposes. They enable practical learning beyond textbooks, conduct industry-relevant research, facilitate partnerships between academic institutions and private companies, and provide startups and small businesses with access to 5G infrastructure to test their ideas. By August 2026, participating institutions had also strengthened ties with startups, micro, small and medium enterprises, and other research organisations.
The 5G Innovation Hackathon and emerging domains
Alongside the labs, the 5G Innovation Hackathon encourages competitive problem-solving. The 2026 edition attracted 1,400 team proposals addressing cutting-edge telecommunications challenges including 5G Advanced (an evolution of current 5G), artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, non-terrestrial networks, Fixed Wireless Access, network slicing, and telecommunications security. The Department of Telecommunications selected 50 teams to receive seed funding for developing their concepts further, with 35 teams now presenting their prototypes and seeking partnerships at the India Mobile Congress.
Research outcomes and intellectual property
The initiative has already yielded measurable results in innovation. Academic and research teams working in the labs have developed 634 products and use cases. More than 158 intellectual property applications have been filed by participating institutions, with 32 patents already granted. This output demonstrates the labs’ effectiveness in converting research into commercially viable or technology-advancing solutions.
Capacity building for telecommunications security
The Department of Telecommunications has also launched a specialised training programme on network and mobile security for its own officers. Union Minister Scindia distributed certificates to DoT staff who completed this programme, which included internationally recognised certifications such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), PenTest, and CySA. This effort reflects the government’s acknowledgement that India’s digital infrastructure requires security expertise commensurate with its growing 5G and data networks.
Connection to India’s 2047 vision
The Union Minister framed these initiatives within India’s broader ambition to become a developed nation by 2047. Rather than adopting foreign telecommunications standards and equipment, the government wants India to design, build and globally market its own intelligent networks. The labs and hackathon are intended to create the talent pool and innovation culture necessary for this transition.
What this means for you
If you are a student or researcher in a participating academic institution, the 5G Use Case Labs offer access to advanced infrastructure and mentorship in next-generation telecommunications. If you are an entrepreneur or startup founder working on telecom applications, seed funding and partnerships are now available through the hackathon scheme. The labs also signal where the Indian telecom sector is heading—toward locally designed solutions rather than imported technology—suggesting future employment and business opportunities in 5G Advanced, 6G research, cybersecurity, and allied fields.
What happens next
The Department of Telecommunications has called for expanded collaboration among academic institutions, startups, and private companies to move innovations from prototypes to commercial products. The 35 hackathon teams showcasing work at IMC 2026 are seeking partnerships and investor interest, indicating the next phase of scaling these innovations into deployable solutions.