TRAI Releases Consultation Paper on Encouraging R&D in Telecom, Broadcasting and IT Sectors

New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a Consultation Paper on ‘Encouraging R&D in Telecom, Broadcasting and IT (ICT) Sectors’ today 22nd September 2023. The purpose of this consultation paper is to develop a comprehensive eco-system for enhancing R&D in the ICT Sector of the country, wherein there are well-established processes for generating a pool of R&D scientists/ engineers, duly supported by the Government and Private Partners for development and innovation of ICT products and services for making India Atmnirbhar and promoting exports in the ICT Sector.

R&D has played a crucial role in shaping today’s world. The advent and evolution of R&D over the years have been pivotal in developing and applying new technologies, shaping economic systems, and improving people’s lives through several industrial revolutions. As recognized the world over, the R&D ecosystem of a nation is linked to its economic growth and overall progress. It has a positive impact on the quality of life of its citizens by increasing the availability, accessibility, and affordability of products and services. Furthermore, R&D and innovation is also important for a nation’s self-reliance and its security.

India has made remarkable progress in R&D and innovation, emerging as the highest-ranked economy in the “Central and Southern Asia” region, 40th in the Global Innovation Index 2022. The country has experienced significant growth in the generation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) by the residents. The government’s initiatives such as “National Education Policy 2020”, “National Policy on Electronics 2019”, “National Digital Communications Policy 2018”, “Make in India”, “Digital India”, “Startup India” etc. have played significant roles in strengthening R&D ecosystem in the country. Further, recent initiatives like “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, “Telecom Product-Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme”, and “Digital Communication Innovation Square” have also been encouraging steps in this direction.