TTDF Scheme

Context: 

• It is basically to develop a telecom ecosystem among academia, start-ups, research institutes and the industries and targeted for rural areas.
• Under the TTDF Scheme, IIT, Kharagpur and C-DOT has signed an agreement for developing Prototypes of 10-Gigabit capable symmetric Passive Optical Network, Optical Line Terminal and optical Network Unit.

About:

• For the development of rural areas, it has been notified to the industries, domestic companies and institutions to involve technological design, development and commercialization of telecom products which must enable affordable broadband and mobile services in the rural areas.
• Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is a body under the Department of Telecommunications has launched the TTDF Scheme aiming for rural areas.
• It is the pool of funds generated by 5% universal service levy which is charged on all the telecom fund operators.
• It is charged on their adjusted gross revenue.
• This fund is deposited in the CFI (Consolidated fund of India and is dispatched on the approval of the Parliament.

Aim and Objective of the TTDF Scheme:

• It will basically fund the research and development for the rural broadband and mobile communication technology applications and to create a telecom ecosystem among academia, start-ups, research institutes and the industries and targeted for rural mass.
• It is aimed to promote export opportunities, reduce imports, technology innovation indigenously, indigenous manufacturing and creation of intellectual property.
• Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is to develop the standards which shall meet global requirements countrywide.
• This scheme will also grant Indian companies to include indigenous technologies more and more to meet our internal/domestic requirements.
• This project is aimed to be completed within two years from the date of initiation. However, it depends on the projects as per the terms and conditions of the agreement.
• In extreme case, with the approval of USOF/DoT, the project duration may be extended up to six months at a time.

Optical Line Terminal:

• It is a key component of the Passive Optical Network, which is serving as the central point that connects the optical network to the wider service provider network.
• For both upstream and downstream data transmission, Optical Line Terminal (OLT) is capable of handling symmetrical 10-Gigabit speeds in the context of XGS-PON.

Optical Network Unit:

• It is the unit which is generally located at the customer premises.
• It connects the customer’s network equipment like router etc. to the wider optical network.

Conclusion: 

It is a great initiative by the Govt of India along with USOF which is definitely going to be a boon for the rural telecom technology development and thereby development of people.

Source: SME

Practice question:

Q. In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors l ike telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.? (2019)

1. Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament
2. Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees
3. Finance Commission
4. Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission
5. NITI Aayog

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. a and b only
2. a, c and d only
3. c, d and e only
4. 2 and e

Answer:- a

 

Download as PDF