The government-backed organization is now collaborating with startups and focusing on new technologies in line with the country’s evolving needs.
India’s Centre for Development of Telematics, better known as CDOT, is emerging as a crucial player in the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) policies. With India trying to cultivate a domestic market for network equipment, CDOT could prove vital.
In line with that Atmanirbhar policy, India’s government has stipulated that state-owned BSNL must use indigenously developed 4G technology. And that happens to be one of the biggest projects in which CDOT is involved, thanks to a collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
“The BSNL 4G deal is a potential turning point for CDOT,” said a recent report on the organization by MTN Consulting. “If the network deployment succeeds and CDOT’s contributions prove viable, then CDOT technology will be considered more widely by other large telcos, domestically and abroad. CDOT is also sure to get government support in the form of additional funding.”
While the 4G project has been delayed several times, BSNL has reportedly now deployed about 12,000 4G sites and plans to launch 4G by the end of this year.
CDOT and the startups
The Indian backlash against Chinese vendors has undoubtedly helped CDOT, increasing the pressure on the local industry to produce alternatives to Huawei and ZTE. And CDOT is now working closely with several Indian startups.
Among other things, it is involved in identifying promising startups that could benefit from the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF). This means assessing startups “involved in technology design, development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions,” according to the official statements. The TTDF is also targeting the development of “affordable broadband and mobile services” to bridge the country’s digital divide.
India’s government has also allowed deep-tech domestic startups to use CDOT’s infrastructure for testing and trials of their products, further cementing the relationship between those startups and CDOT.
Since then, CDOT has signed an agreement with domestic players including VVDN Technologies and WiSig Networks to develop a 5G open radio access network (RAN) and other products. It has also signed a consortium agreement regarding RAN with several industry partners, including Lekha Wireless Solutions, Signaltron Systems, Sooktha Consulting and Resonous Technologies. The partners are working to develop RAN solutions for both 4G and 5G.
Another agreement that forms part of the TTDF scheme, and covers 6G technologies, is with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-Roorkee) and the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT-Mandi).
The various moves could help to boost innovation and support efforts to create a homegrown vendor ecosystem.
Quantum focus
Although CDOT has traditionally focused on building products and partnerships for improving rural connectivity, this no longer seems true now that 5G, 6G and open RAN are all part of its plans. Another new focus area, quantum computing, could help India to improve network security.
“India has an incentive to be self-reliant in technologies that are vital to its security and independence,” says the MTN Consulting report. “Quantum communications are one big example of such a technology. Not surprisingly, CDOT has placed quantum communications (QC) at the forefront of its activities.”
CDOT claims to have indigenously developed a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system and filed several patents. It has also formed a group called the India Quantum Alliance to spur the country’s growth in this segment.
“CDOT intends to deliver a complete suite of quantum communication products in the coming years,” said the organization on its website. “Sufficient budget allocation by the government has been made for this. The India Quantum Alliance is being formed under the guidance of DoT.”
“This alliance proposes an umbrella project for bringing together various R&D efforts in the industry, academia, startups, etc.,” it added. “CDOT will manage the project and provide the necessary support, including financial assistance, wherever needed, to enable the creation and evolution of quantum communication technologies for India.”
Yet while CDOT is evidently interacting more with the industry, it may need to intensify its efforts. Challenges relate to funding and bureaucratic delays that could prevent it from realizing its potential.
To build on the success so far, MTN reckons CDOT should look at developing more strategic partnerships, for instance with Reliance Jio, India’s biggest telecom service provider.
“Work with Jio on open RAN ecosystems and learn from the company’s efficient approach to scaling a business,” it advises. “Jio is a case study in how a conglomerate can spread its wings into an entirely new sector, rapidly and profitably.”
CDOT’s goal should be to speed up its tech development cycles and improve the efficiency of its private sector collaborations,” continued the report.
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