DoT and C-DOT sign five-year agreement for End-to-End Optical Network Testbed
On 27 August 2026, the Department of Telecommunications and C-DOT signed a five-year agreement to set up an End-to-End Optical Network Testbed at the C-DOT campus in New Delhi for indigenous optical technologies.
Summary
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) signed a five-year agreement on 27 August 2026 to establish an End-to-End Optical Network Testbed. The DoT-funded testbed will be located at the C-DOT campus in New Delhi and will help Indian startups and industry test, validate and commercialise optical communication products. The project runs in two phases: a set-up phase in years 1–2 covering optical core, optical access and quantum security elements, and years 3–5 for maintenance, user support and outreach. The testbed will also serve as a training platform for students, researchers and professionals.
Key facts
- Parties
- DoT and C-DOT
- Signed
- 27 August 2026; five-year agreement
- Location
- C-DOT campus, New Delhi
- Scope
- Optical core, optical access, quantum security
- Phases
- Set-up (years 1–2); operations & outreach (years 3–5)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Where will the End-to-End Optical Network Testbed, agreed between DoT and C-DOT in August 2026, be located?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — C-DOT campus, New Delhi
The DoT-funded testbed will be located at the C-DOT campus in New Delhi.
Consider the following statements about the DoT–C-DOT Optical Network Testbed: 1. The agreement covers a period of five years. 2. The set-up phase includes quantum security elements along with optical core and access. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: it is a five-year agreement, and the set-up phase (years 1–2) covers optical core, optical access and quantum security.