Shillong: The Centre has set up a state-of-the-art 5G laboratory at the National Institute of Technology Meghalaya in East Khasi Hills, marking a major step towards strengthening the region’s digital innovation and research ecosystem.
Officials said the facility has been established under a nationwide initiative of the Department of Telecommunications to accelerate the development of next-generation communication technologies.
With the addition of the NIT Meghalaya facility, a total of eight 5G laboratories are now operational across the northeastern states.
The new lab will provide students and researchers with hands-on access to advanced digital systems, including 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), edge computing and other emerging technologies.
Authorities said the facility is expected to significantly enhance skill development, research capacity and the creation of region-specific technological solutions.
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The initiative is aligned with the Centre’s Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat programmes, aimed at building domestic technological capabilities and expanding youth participation in high-end research and innovation.
According to officials, innovations emerging from these labs are expected to support key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, smart infrastructure and disaster management—areas considered vital for the Northeast’s long-term development.
The 5G lab at NIT Meghalaya is also expected to promote stronger collaboration between academia and industry, enabling real-world experimentation, application-based research and innovation-driven growth in the state.
