In the small Brazilian town of Santa Rita do Sapucaí, a rather large campus towers over an avenue lined with local shops, grocery stores, schools and simple homes. This is the National Institute of Telecommunications (INATEL), the main organization in the country where cutting-edge research on 6G connectivity is taking place.
Founded as the first telecommunications engineering school in Latin America, INATEL is the epicenter of Brazil’s “Electronics Valley” and is nearing its 60th anniversary. It was established during a time when major telecommunications companies like Rede Globo and Embratel were being created, with a mission to provide skilled professionals to a burgeoning industry.
Now, the institute is setting its sights on evolving as a valuable partner to corporations, as well as remaining a destination for those wanting to pursue careers in telecommunications. Over the years, it has grown beyond research to also provide services to companies. This interaction between the school and the market has led to solutions in areas such as digital television, directly supporting the development of a range of local equipment manufacturers.
“Over the years, we have evolved from a purely academic institution to one that also engages in research, consulting, and corporate training, leveraging the knowledge generated from our research programs,” says Carlos Nazareth, director at INATEL, in an exclusive interview with Forbes.
Today, INATEL offers seven undergraduate engineering programs, as well as a master’s and doctoral program in telecommunications. This combination of education and research has allowed INATEL to develop strong partnerships with major technology companies like Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, and various telecom operators.
“Through these collaborations, we have been able to develop innovative solutions in areas like 5G, the Internet of Things, and automation control, which we then transfer to the market,” says Nazareth.
Accelerating ‘Internet of Senses’ Research
One of INATEL’s key achievements is the development of the first 5G radio with entirely Brazilian technology, which has now been transferred to Trivali, a national company, for use in the oil and gas, agriculture, and mining sectors. Now, the institute is focused on the next generation of mobile connectivity.
The key differences between 5G and 6G, according to Nazareth, are the ability of 6G to integrate the physical and biological worlds with the digital world. “The aim is to further reduce latency and unify all network types, including terrestrial and satellite,” he adds.
Beyond its educational programs, INATEL’s focus on connectivity research is noteworthy: the institute has established a 5G and 6G Competence Center, supported by organizations like Embrapa, Cisco, and the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, to develop solutions for these next-generation networks.
Looking to the future, the institute is exploring a wide range of applications that can benefit from advanced connectivity. According to INATEL’s director, these include remote medical diagnostics, precision agriculture, and industrial automation.
The institute is also working on developing “internet of senses” technologies that can capture and transmit tactile, olfactory, and other sensory information, opening up new possibilities in fields like telemedicine and virtual experiences.
According to Nazareth, the technology is expected to reach the market by 2030. INATEL’s research in this field is already in its third phase, supported by a BRL 100 million ($17 million) investment.
“[Internet of senses technologies] could enable advancements such as feeling the texture of clothing before buying online or a doctor performing surgery remotely with real-time tactile feedback,” says Nazareth.
The combination of 6G with artificial intelligence and quantum computing will further accelerate innovations, Nazareth says, adding that will offer unprecedented personalization of products and services. “Satellite networks and unmanned aircraft will also ensure global connectivity, even in remote areas. The potential is enormous,” he says.
Catching Up with the World and Tackling the Skills Gap
In terms of INATEL’s position compared to other research centers, Nazareth notes that Brazil has historically lagged in the adoption of new telecom technologies. However, the institute has been catching up in recent generations of mobile technology, entering the 5G research space in 2015 and now aiming to be on par with international efforts in 6G.
“We have established partnerships with universities in Finland, Spain, Germany, and the UK to accelerate our research work,” Nazareth says.
INATEL has big plans for the future, but there are challenges of a local nature on the horizon. While the institute has made significant strides in its research and development efforts, it needs to attract and retain more talented engineers and researchers to support its agenda.
Only 6% of Brazilian youth choose STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers, compared to much higher percentages in other countries. Additionally, the small pool of local professionals available often ends up being hired by international employers without having to leave Brazil, which also adds to the problem.
However, the institute’s head remains upbeat and says that investing in quality education and showcasing the competence of Brazilian engineering can help the country become a valuable partner for global technology companies.
“We are focused on expanding our educational programs and collaborating with industry partners to create more opportunities for students and researchers,” Nazareth concludes.