DoT to bring in private players to manage R&D at CDOT

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is mulling a proposal to bring in private players to manage its telecom research and development (R&D) wing Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT). As per the proposal, the private sector will have 51 percent ownership in C-DOT whereas the government’s ownership will come down to 49 per cent. The proposal aims to make C-DOT a global R&D centre and a technological system integrator.

The core software of 4G and 5G telecom stack has also been designed by C-DOT. The organisation is also working to develop disaster management solutions and a national firewall to strengthen cybersecurity solutions, which will have software intelligence to mitigate the impact, among other things.

According to sources, the government is looking to revamp the entire corporate structure of C-DOT and will form units like technology transfer and R&D. Further, involvement of the private sector will take the company out of government’s regulations in salary structure and procurement of raw technology, etc. The shareholding agreement with the private players will be such that to protect the government’s interest.

According to experts, a revamp in the structure and government’s plans to improve C-DoT’s operations will also help the organisation to source top-notch talent for R&D and design.