Context:

The Indian Army signed an MOU to strengthen next-generation wireless technologies. 

More on the news

• Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Indian Army and Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance collaboration in ‘Next Generation Wireless Technologies for Indian Army’.
• This initiative strengthens the Indian Army's technological capabilities which are aligned with the declared vision for 2024 as the ‘Year of Technological Absorption for Indian Army’ 

Significance of the MOU

• The collaboration between SAMEER, a government R&D lab specializing in microwave electronics, and MCTE, the premier training institute established in 1911 for the Corps of Signals, is expected to significantly enhance national security and communication infrastructure for the Indian Army. 
• The MoU signifies a long-term commitment to exploring cutting-edge wireless technologies like 5G and 6G, potentially including soldier-to-soldier communication, secure data transmission, and remote battlefield control systems.
• The partnership between SAMEER and MCTE is beyond an agreement and represents a shared commitment in exploring new technological frontiers, and addressing modern battlefield challenges.
• The MoU also paves the way for the involvement of MSMEs and startups in the development process, fostering a robust ecosystem for indigenous military technology development and production in India.

Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER)

• SAMEER was set up as an autonomous research & development laboratory in 1984 at Mumbai under under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
• It is an offshoot of the Special Microwave Products Unit (SMPU) set up in 1977 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai.  

What is a Wireless technology?

• It is a technology that provides the ability to communicate between two or more entities over distances without the use of wires or cables of any sort. 
• It uses radio frequency (RF) as well as infrared (IR) waves for communication.
• The birth of wireless technology started with the discovery of electromagnetic waves by Heinrich Hertz (1857–1894).
• Key types include Wi-Fi for internet access, Bluetooth for short-range communication, cellular networks (4G/5G) for mobile phones, and NFC for contactless payments. 
• It offers flexibility, mobility, and ease of installation but can face interference and security risks.