Researchers at IIT Hyderabad (IITH) have developed an indigenous IoT-enabled system-on-chip (SoC) that integrates 4G, 5G, and satellite communications into a single platform, marking a breakthrough in India’s semiconductor innovation. The compact, low-power, and cost-effective chip is designed to extend reliable connectivity to even the remotest regions, operating for years without a battery replacement.

“This represents a special class of 6G technologies, low-power, narrowband, sensor-driven connectivity,” said Prof. Kiran Kuchi of IITH. Unlike conventional high-speed 6G networks, this SoC is optimized for transformative, everyday applications.

The chip enables wearables and animal tags for health monitoring, GPS-based asset tracking, and safe, affordable solutions for tracking goods, school bags, and even children. In cold-chain logistics, it ensures vaccine and food supply integrity, while in water management, it enables real-time leak detection and conservation. With satellite integration, the chip also offers critical applications for defence and national security, ensuring mobility tracking beyond cellular coverage.

Tested and validated for global standards compliance, the chip is ready for operator network rollout. Developed under India’s fabless semiconductor model, it was designed domestically, fabricated abroad, and productized in India, securing long-term intellectual property ownership.

The innovation aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047, advancing India’s vision of technological sovereignty, inclusive 6G, and citizen-centric digital transformation.