The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) yesterday released a consultation paper on ‘Encouraging R&D in Telecom, Broadcasting and IT Sectors’.

The purpose of this new consultation paper, according to the regulator, is to develop a comprehensive eco- system for enhancing research and development in the ICT sector of the country, wherein there are well established processes including in the governmental and private sectors.

“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,” TRAI in the paper.

However, it also added that in the existing Indian R&D ecosystem there are areas where further improvements in promoting R&D in the ICT sector can be made, learning from the international best practices .

In the consultation paper, prepared based on brainstorming sessions and inputs from academia and industry experts from lIT Madras, lIT Kanpur, lIT Hyderabad etc., TRAI said it has analyzed the important issues that require intervention in the existing R&D ecosystem in India under the three focus elements: ‘Education & Training System’, ‘Science System’ and ‘Regulatory Framework’.