IIT-H Start-Up Showcases Indigenous 5G And 6G Technologies To Modi

Hyderabad:A device designed to send messages through satellites in areas without mobile coverage, rural 5G networks and an emerging 6G technology were among the innovations showcased by IIT Hyderabad-incubated WiSig Networks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a science and technology conclave in New Delhi.

Modi visited the start-up’s stall at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 at Bharat Mandapam on Tuesday, where he saw demonstrations of technologies developed through IIT Hyderabad’s research ecosystem.

“The true success of science comes when it moves from the laboratory into the lives of ordinary citizens and improves them,” Modi said in his address at the conclave, calling for research to produce practical solutions and measurable results. He urged researchers, startup founders and young innovators to set concrete goals for the technologies, prototypes, pilot projects or products they would develop over the next three years.

One of the products demonstrated was Koala Tag, a compact device designed to connect through both terrestrial mobile networks and satellites. WiSig said it could help fishermen far offshore and defence personnel in remote border areas send messages, share their locations and seek emergency assistance using their existing mobile phones.

The start-up also demonstrated indigenous 5G networks deployed in rural India, providing connectivity to households and public institutions, including gram panchayats, anganwadis and schools in underserved villages. The company did not specify the number of villages covered in the material supplied.

During the interaction, Modi enquired about ongoing 6G research at IIT Hyderabad and WiSig. The team briefed him on OTFDM, an emerging waveform technology being developed for future communication networks. A waveform is the signal pattern used to transmit information wirelessly; developing new waveforms is part of research into how next-generation networks can carry data.

The technologies were presented by Sakshama Ghoslya, principal engineer at WiSig and an IIT Hyderabad M. Tech alumnus. He began his 5G research at the institute in 2016 and joined the startup in 2017, according to the company.

Incubated at IIT Hyderabad, WiSig develops telecommunications technologies for terrestrial networks, satellite communications and defence applications. Its work spans software, radio systems, chips, devices and network infrastructure.

The three-day ESTIC 2026 conclave, running from October 27 to 29, brings together scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and deep-tech startups to discuss emerging technologies and India’s research priorities.