C -Dot-Alcatel broadband research centre in Chennai
03 Sep 2005
Chennai: The Union Cabinet today approved the setting up of a joint C-DoT-Alcatel Research Centre in Chennai with an outlay of Rs.212 crore. The centre will work on broadband wireless solutions initially on Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology suitable for rural areas for faster implementation of e-governance, e-education, e-health, e-agriculture, tele-medicine and other areas. It will also be of help to business and individual interests in urban areas.
The research centre will put India in the category of leading nations in the research and manufacturing of next generation wireless technology. The centre will also provide opportunities to more than 300 Indian professionals to take part in advanced global research facilities. The products developed will be marketed worldwide.
The research centre will be owned by a private limited joint venture company with an equity capital of Rs106 crore with 51 per cent holding by Alcatel and 49 per cent by C-DoT. Starting next fiscal, for three years C-DoT will be assisted by the central government to the tune of Rs52 crore for subscribing to the capital-2005-06 Rs13 crore, Rs26 crore in 2006-07 and Rs13 crore in 2007-08).
In addition the centre will provide a loan to C-DOT up to Rs52 crore (Rs13 crore per annum from 2006-07 to 2009-2010) over four years for giving shareholder loan to the joint venture company.
To be set within three months, the centre's initial project will encompass the development of customer premises equipment compliant to WiMAX technology and value addition in the infrastructure products being developed by Alcatel.
