Government arm looks at financing 5G, IoT technologies​

New Delhi: The government's research arm under Department of IT and Electronics (DeitY) will finance indigenous projects working on developing 5G, wearable computers, Internet of Things and other high-end technologies.

Convergence Communications and Broadband Technologies (CC&BT) has invited proposals for financial support from scientists, academic and R&D institutions, among others.

However, it will give priority to those proposals that have received backing or contribution from industry, either in cash or kind, and has partnered with production agency.

"The R&D in CC&BT division under DeitY has invited proposals in thrust areas... With focus on indigenous technology development and innovative technology demonstration leading to commercialisation," an official note said.

The thrust areas of R&D in CC&BT group includes next generation communication, convergent and network technologies, 5G and beyond, wearable computing, strategic electronics, broadband wireless technology deployments specially for rural connectivity, big data analytics for societal applications and disaster management, Internet of Things (IoT) etc.

"An Expert Group would consider the proposals for feasibility and carry out technical and financial evaluation and accordingly recommend for financial support by DeitY," the note said.

The government had earlier set up Electronics Development Fund, which will act as mother of all funds operating in the field of developing indigenous technologies and finance projects.

The venture capital arm of Canara Bank was appointed as the implementation agency for housing the electronics development fund (EDF).