SUMMARY
Earlier this year, a body under the Department of Telecommunications officially launched the Telecom Technology Development Fund Scheme
The scheme will support early-stage startups working on the technologies crucial for the development of 6G, said K Rajaraman
According to DoT, the scope and scale of 6G would be finalised worldwide by 2023-24
While India has started working on 6G technology, it is also aiming to be a part of the global 6G standards development process. The recently launched research and development fund will support early-stage startups working on the technologies crucial for the development of 6G, K Rajaraman, secretary at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said.
“We are in a situation where 6G standards are not there. So, we are trying to be part of the standards-making process,” Rajaraman said, according to an ET report.
Earlier this year, Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a body under DoT, launched the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme.
The scheme aims to fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem.
Additionally, the scheme aims to promote technology ownership and indigenous manufacturing, create a culture of technology co-innovation, reduce imports, boost export opportunities and creation of Intellectual Property.
Earlier, the deadline to submit proposals under the funding programme was November 15, which has now been extended to December 31.
According to the department, the scope and scale of 6G would be finalised worldwide by 2023-24.
This comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first commercial 5G network in the country on October 1.
During the launch, the Union minister of communications, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that 5G is the gateway to ‘Digital India’ and telecom is emerging as a sunrise industry.
In this effort, DoT also formed a technology innovation group last year on 6G.
“India should endeavour to take a lead in 6G space. This will require a collaborative effort from the government, industry and the telecom service providers, academic and research institutions to identify the area of work and build synergy to innovate, create Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), standardise, contribute to global standards, create regulations, run pilots, and manufacture, test and supply at a global scale,” the department’s memorandum said.
Telecom minister also reportedly said that the technologies required for development of 6G are available with Indian developers.
