Context: Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a body under the Department of Telecommunications, officially launched Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme.

• The scheme is aligned with Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi’s clarion call of adding Jan Anusandhaan in the new phase of Amrit Kaal.

• The USOF is the telecom department's Rs 58,000-crore reserve to fund rural and remote digital connectivity.

Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme

• Aim: To promote research and development in the field of Telecommunications, Technologies and Solutions in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call of “Jai Anusandhan”.

Objectives

• Promote Technology Ownership and indigenous Manufacturing (Atmanirbhar Bharat);

• Reduce import and open up export opportunities;

• Proliferation of next generation Telecom technologies in Rural and Remote areas;

• Creating a culture of Technology co-creation and co-innovation;

• Promote the ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, development, proof of concept testing, IPR creation, field testing, security, certification and manufacturing of telecom products, end-to-end Solutions, Use cases, Pilots, etc.;

• Develop and establish relevant standards to meet national requirements and enable their standardization in international standardization bodies;

• Promote rural-specific communication technology application / use case development that caters to the needs of rural masses and adds value to their day-to-day activities both economic and social;

• Create synergies among the Academia, Research Institutes, Start-ups and Industry for capacity building and development of telecom ecosystem;

• Bridge the gap between R&D and commercialization of products and solutions.

Salient Features of The TTDF Scheme

• It covers wide areas of technologies and solutions to enable affordable broadband and mobile service proliferation in rural and remote areas.

• It also intends creation of Intellectual Property Rights.

• The intent for R&D funding through grants to Indian entities is to encourage and induct indigenous technologies tailor-made to meet our unique needs and enable creation of a telecom product ecosystem in India

• It provides for transparent objective evaluation and approval criteria.

• It contains well defined process for implementation and monitoring of approved projects.

• It envisages independent review by third party.