Deadline: 15-Nov-22
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is now providing grants through its Telecom Technology Development Fund to build state-of-the-art telecom technologies and enable the proliferation of affordable broadband and mobile services in Rural and Remote areas.
Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme is aimed for domestic companies and institutions involved in technology design, development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions, to enable affordable broadband and mobile services in rural and remote areas.
Objectives
- The scheme is envisaged to bridge digital divide by developing and manufacturing the state-of-the-art technologies for rural and remote areas. The objectives are, inter alia, to:
- 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, Usecases, Pilots, inter alia;
- 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 through outreach to build rural / remote areas relevant technologies and solutions;
- bridge the gap between R&D and commercialization of products and solutions;
- enable proliferation of affordable broadband and mobile services
- enable technology demonstration, product integration, pilots and field trials of the products and solutions; Enable Technological / business model innovation in solutions and services by utilizing existing infrastructure of USOF/DoT/GoI funded projects; or
- commercialize developed technologies under the scheme. USOF schemes shall incorporate necessary provisions to ensure to enable rollout of these indigenously developed and piloted technologies developed in all its models.
Budgetary Outlay
- 5% of annual collections from USOF, or any amount that may be decided by the government from time to time, would be allocated for the purpose.
- In order to enhance funding under the scheme, other sources and mechanisms would be explored further.
Funding Modalities
The following are the different funding modes available under the scheme. However, the entities are eligible to apply for funding from different resources both public or private for different products / technologies / solutions or for different deliverables in the development of same technology. The details of other funding (availed / applied) shall be indicated in the application form. The TRL levels mentioned are indicative to ensure relevant ground work has been carried out by entities for a successful outcome.
- Grant in aid
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- The grant is envisaged to service funding requirements for small to medium projects in the development of technology(ies) / product(s) / research, solution(s), usecases, usecase lab(s), integrated proposal(s) with focus on end-to-end solution(s) or pilot(s);
- It is aimed to service technology / product / solution development, pilot activity in TRL levels 3-7 with the objective to take it to TRL level 7-9, as part of the roadmap, as the case may be. In TRL level 3, analytical and experimental critical functions should have been achieved with or without proof of concept;
- In the case of research project(s), the research should have reached at least TRL level2;
- In the case of applications for next generation products, the applicant(s) should have at least achieved TRL level 6-7 in the previous generation product(s) or should provide details on capabilities at least in TRL 3 for proposed products / solution;
- In the case of funding for communication SoCs and Chipsets, TRL levels would be defined separately as part of funding agreement.
- Project Period
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- 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.
- The engagement shall terminate by operation of law and without demand, upon first occurrence of one or more of the following events:
- Mutual written agreement of the parties to terminate the engagement
- Completion of two years (if no further extension is granted) from the effective date of the engagement unless otherwise agreed by the parties to extend it beyond the expiry date for a term (six months)
- Any breach or violation of any agreement or terms of contract
- Underperformance in terms of agreed outcome
- When the company enters into an acquisition, merger or amalgamation or reorganization deal resulting in a substantial change in the profile of the company from domestic to non-domestic status.
- Any other reason for which IA may find it necessary for the partnership to cease. Such reason/s shall be communicated to the partner.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following Indian entities are only eligible for support from this fund:
- Domestic Company(ies) with focus on telecom R&D, Use case development
- Start-ups / MSMEs
- Academic institutions
- R&D institutions, Section 8 companies / Societies, Central & State government entities / PSUs /Autonomous Bodies/SPVs / Limited liability partnerships- with focus on telecom research and development
- Collaborative consortium of entities
- For Pilots: The entities may partner, inter alia, with PSUs, TSPs, Central/State Government entities, government autonomous bodies, SPVs etc.
For more information, visit https://usof.gov.in/ttdf