White Rabbit Network: India’s First Precision IST Distribution
Why in the news
A Union Minister opened a fibre-based network that delivers Indian Standard Time (IST) with very high precision, at the Regional Reference Standards Laboratory in Jakkur, Bengaluru.
Key facts
- Developer: Legal Metrology Division, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, with NPL, ISRO, BSNL, SEBI.
- Time source: atomic clock; NPL and ISRO produce official IST.
- Transfer: Precision Time Protocol (IEEE 1588) over fibre or Ethernet; devices self-correct.
- Features: sub-nanosecond accuracy, predictable delay, thousands of devices across 1,000+ km.
Applications
| Sector | Use |
|---|---|
| Defence | Less reliance on GPS; guards against spoofing |
| Finance | Precise timestamps for exchanges and digital payments |
| Telecom | 5G/6G support |
| Space and quantum | Fine synchronisation |
| Power and nuclear | Better coordination |
Exam angle
- Location: RRSL Jakkur. Protocol: IEEE 1588. Origin: CERN.