Indian Government Offers Free 5G Test Bed to MSMEs and Start-ups Until January 2024 to Promote Indigenous Technology Development

The Indian government has announced that a free 5G test bed will be made available to Micro, Small & Medium Businesses (MSMEs) and recognized start-ups until January 2024. This move is aimed at promoting the utilization of test beds and supporting the creation of indigenous technology and goods in line with the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision.

The test bed, which is already being used by a number of start-ups and businesses, is also available for use at a low cost by all parties involved in 5G, including academics, service providers, research and development organizations, governmental agencies, and equipment makers.

The Department of Telecommunications provided a financial grant for the multi-institute collaborative project to build the "Indigenous 5G Test Bed" in India in March 2018. The total cost of the project was Rs 224 crore, and it aimed to take the lead in 5G deployment while taking India's unique needs into account.

On May 17, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the national 5G test bed to the public. The creation of this domestic test bed is a critical turning point in India's efforts to become independent in the 5G technology field and move toward a 5G Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

According to the press release, this test bed provides Indian start-ups, MSMEs, research and development organizations, academic institutions, and business customers with the capacity to test and validate 5G products locally. The announcement is expected to boost the growth of 5G technology in India and encourage more indigenous development.