(THE GIST OF PIB) Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme

(FEBRUARY-2024)

Recently, C-DOT, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-K) signed an agreement for ‘Developing Prototypes for 10-Gigabit-capable symmetric Passive Optical Network (i.e., XGS-PON) Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and Optical Network Unit (ONU) under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme.

It has been notified for domestic companies and institutions involved in the technology design, development, and commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions to enable affordable broadband and mobile services in rural and remote areas.
It was launched by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a body under the Department of Telecommunications.

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.
To promote technology ownership and indigenous manufacturing, create a culture of technology co-innovation, reduce imports, boost export opportunities and creation of Intellectual Property.
Under the scheme, USOF is also targeting to develop standards to meet countrywide requirements and create the ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, use cases, pilots, and proof of concept testing, among others.
The scheme entails grants to Indian entities to encourage and induct indigenous technologies tailor-made to meet domestic needs.

Project timelines are generally up to two years.
However, it may be decided project-wise in consultation with the applicant as per the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Extension of six months each at a time may be granted at the sole discretion of USOF/DoT.