TTDF Backs 136 Telecom R&D Projects Worth Rs 5.42 Bn

22 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme has recently approved 136 projects worth Rs 5.42 billion to strengthen indigenous telecom innovation across India, the government informed Parliament. The scheme focuses on bridging the digital divide by enabling development and manufacturing of advanced telecom technologies for rural and remote areas.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the TTDF Scheme, launched on 1 October 2022, supports IITs, NITs, MSMEs, start-ups and research institutions working on next-generation telecom solutions.

Key focus areas under TTDF include 5G and 6G technologies, Internet of Things, optical communications, satellite communication, quantum communication, indigenous core networks and open RAN. Among major initiatives, TTDF has approved a project to establish a 6G test bed at SAMEER, Kolkata, in collaboration with IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati and IIT Patna. The project is currently underway and has already developed an indigenous prototype.

The scheme promotes a consortium-based approach, encouraging collaboration between academia, start-ups, MSMEs and industry. While academic institutions contribute research expertise, start-ups and MSMEs bring innovation agility, and industry partners support manufacturing, scaling and deployment.

As on 10 December 2026, projects supported under TTDF have resulted in 26 patent filings, 36 contributions to telecom standards development and 48 research publications, reflecting growing domestic capability in advanced telecom technologies.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..