Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Program
Why in the News?
The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) has facilitated a collaboration between the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Trois Infotech on the development of “Face Recognition Using Drone” technology.
About Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF):
| Details |
- Launched on October 1, 2022 under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), Ministry of Telecommunications.
- Supports indigenous telecom technologies, especially for rural communication needs.
About USOF (Universal Service Obligation Fund)
- USOF was established in April 2002 under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act 2003.
- Objective: To provide financial support for telecom services in rural and remote areas that are commercially unviable.
- A non-lapsable fund, with the levy amount credited for continuous use.
- Operates as an attached office of the Department of Telecom, headed by an administrator appointed by the Central Government.
- Initially focused on providing basic telecom services in rural areas at affordable prices.
- Expanded scope to include mobile services, broadband connectivity, and infrastructure development in rural and remote areas.
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| Aims and Objectives |
- Encourage Innovation: Create synergies across stakeholders (startups, R&D, academia) and focus on rural-specific telecom solutions.
- Bridge the Digital Divide: Provide affordable telecom solutions for rural areas and enhance connectivity.
- Intellectual Property Creation: Support R&D projects contributing to patentable technologies.
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| Key Features and Structural Mandate |
Funding Mechanism:
- Grants for Indian startups, research institutes, academia, and telecom companies for R&D on rural telecom solutions.
- Managed by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) with USOF as the administering body.
Features:
- Incentives for Startups: Provides financial incentives for telecom R&D projects from prototype to commercialization.
- Collaborative Framework: Promotes collaboration between stakeholders such as startups, telecom companies, universities, and R&D centers.
- PoC and Pilot Support: Encourages proof of concept testing and pilots to validate technological solutions.
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PYQ:
[2019] In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.?
- Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament
- Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees
- Finance Commission
- Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission
- NITI Aayog
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 3, 4 and 5
(d) 2 and 5 |
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