ISRO’s NaVIC Gets Approval Of Mobile Telephony Standards Body 3GPP; Set To See Boost In Integration With Upcoming Tech

Global mobile telephony standards body, 3GPP, has given its approval to the regional navigation system created by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), known as NaVIC, reports The Times of India.

The approval has been given for the system’s use in Rel-16 LTE and Rel-17 5G NR specifications, paving the way for wider commercial adoption of NaVIC, allowing it to be integrated with 4G, 5G and internet of things technology (IoT).

Once these specifications are adopted by Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI), IoT devices here can make a switch from the US-made GPS to NaVIC.

Thus, electronics companies can start designing and building integrated circuits and mass manufacture other products uniquely created to be compatible with NaVIC.

Isro chairman K Sivan welcomed the news of the approval. He said, “We are extremely happy to know about the 3GPP approval of NaVIC. NaVIC is fully operational and is doing a great job. Currently, eight satellites are already in orbit. Seven satellites are being used for navigation purpose and one satellite only for messaging purpose. Some apps based on NaVIC are already functional and being immensely used. Soon, we will bring out more NaVIC apps that will benefit the common man.”