Government officials have outlined their strategy to leverage startups and academia in the telecommunications sector to drive innovation and generate intellectual property rights (IPRs), particularly in emerging technologies like quantum communications, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. As part of this initiative, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is encouraging partnerships between global firms such as Ericsson, Cisco, and Qualcomm with academic institutions to collaborate on new technologies.
The government aims to achieve a minimum of 3% of IPRs in next-generation essential patents by 2027, along with a 3% share in the global telecom equipment market within the same timeframe. An official stated that domestically developed 4G/5G technology stacks are already operational, with plans for exportation to other countries, notably being utilized by BSNL.
To support these objectives, the government is considering providing funding through the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) for promising projects. The TTDF aims to foster an ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, testing, IPR creation, and manufacturing of telecom products.
Amid geopolitical uncertainties, the government emphasizes achieving self-sufficiency in telecom technologies, both in software and hardware, by nurturing the complete ecosystem within the country. This involves a focus on research and development, including collaborations between industry and academia.
Several firms, including Ericsson and Qualcomm, have already announced partnerships with institutions to drive IPR generation. Ericsson’s CEO Borje Ekholm highlighted the potential for collaboration in open RAN settings, where multiple vendors of different radios will be required.
According to the DoT’s plans, India aims to have a 5% share in global research across various areas such as network technologies, wideband spectrum sensing, autonomous control, communication in mobility, and intelligent reflector surfaces.
India boasts the world’s third-largest tech startup ecosystem, and officials stress the need for continued support to Indian manufacturers by providing business opportunities. In addition to funding through the TTDF, the government facilitates startup funding from venture capitalist (VC) firms. Recently, the DoT organized a meeting connecting startups with VCs, where startups pitched ideas in areas like quantum communications, 5G-enabled AI drones, satellite-based navigation systems, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to VCs from India, the UK, and Uganda.
