Department of Commerce Grants $42 mn for Wireless Supply Chain Innovation

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), under the U.S.Department of Commerce, has granted US$ 42 million for the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. 

This grant will support a collaborative effort between U.S. and international carriers, universities, and equipment suppliers to create a testing, evaluation, and research hub in the Dallas Technology Corridor, along with a satellite facility in the Washington, D.C. area.

The primary objectives of this center will be to assess network performance, ensure interoperability, enhance security measures, and drive innovation through the exploration of novel testing methodologies.

“Spurring innovation and competition in wireless technologies is vital to U.S. economic and national security. This $42 million award marks $140 million in investments through the Wireless Innovation Fund…” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

“These grants are supporting facilities and advancing research that will unlock new opportunities for America to lead in the global telecommunications market, strengthen our supply chains and drive down costs,” Raimondo added.

So far, the NTIA has allocated US$140 million from the Wireless Innovation Fund. This fund is part of a larger 10-year US$1.5 billion initiative aimed at fostering the advancement of open and interoperable wireless networks. Additional awards will also come after NTIA issues the next Notice of Funding Opportunity.