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In a bid to take on global telecom vendors such as Ericsson and Nokia Siemens, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has started research on developing the advanced version of fourth generation (4G) mobile technology.
The state-run research and development firm is planning to demonstrate capabilities on LTE-Advanced technology within 12 months.
Faster than 3G
Speaking to Business Line , Mr V.V.R. Sastry, Executive Director, C-DOT, said, “Time frames for mass deployments of LTE Advanced technology worldwide are likely to be influenced by uptake of 3G technologies and availability of spectrum for broadband wireless. C-DOT recognises this opportunity and considers LTE-A as an important R&D area within C-DOT.”
LTE Advanced promises 40 times faster speeds than existing commercial 3G networks.
Once considered a powerhouse in the Indian telecom manufacturing scene, C-DOT could not keep pace with the advent of mobile technologies. As a result it does not have any key products in the 2G and 3G segments, now dominated by global vendors such as Ericsson, Nokia Siemens and Huawei.
C-DOT is, therefore, looking at LTE-Advanced as a means to bridge the gap with the global players. “C-DOT has good expertise to work on 4G technologies and is presently working on R&D programmes to build cost effective 4G telecom products. Through these programmes we would like to catch up with the rest of the world in a 2-year time frame in the wireless segment,” Mr Sastry said.
Globally, LTE-Advanced is at the trial stage so C-DOT has the opportunity to catch up. In India, operators are looking to deploy LTE technology by early next year. So LTE-Advanced will probably be come in the picture two years from now by when C-DOT is hoping to get its products ready for commercial deployment. But before that happens, operators will need additional spectrum and capable handsets. According to the International Telecommunication Union, the global standards body, LTE Advanced is a 4G technology while LTE is not.
Mr Sastry said that development of IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) within the country is crucial from national security point of view and C-DOT is reviving this path. “Today's telecom networks are swamped by imported products and services, based on foreign technology. From a national security perspective, it is very important to have home grown Indian IPR and technologies in the telecommunication and information technologies.”
Telecom gear
“To avoid foreign outflow of stupendous magnitude due to telecom gear imports in the near future and revive the national telecom equipment manufacturing base which in turn will create employment opportunities for semiskilled and skilled workforce of this country, it is very important to go the C-DOT way, i.e. to create Indian IPR, develop products and services which can revive the Indian Telecom manufacturing base in this country.”
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