The Department of Telecommunications is tapping the National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research (NTIPRIT), BSNL and MTNL to build capacity in the ‘Internet of Things’ domain.

‘Internet of Things’ involves connecting every thing from door locks and wearable devices to traffic signals and waste control systems to a vast network. M2M (machine to machine) refers to technologies that allow wireless and wired systems to communicate with other enabled-devices.

The IT Ministry’s draft policy envisions the IoT industry to be worth $15 billion by 2020. The DoT, which is working to formulate a policy structure by this fiscal year-end, wants these entities to set up demonstration centres.

“NTIPRIT and 19 training centres of BSNL/MTNL have already been designated by DoT for skill development and they may develop demonstration centres for trainees and other stakeholders,” the DoT said in its feedback to the draft policy formulated by the IT Ministry, on IoT.

“IoT being predominantly telecom dependant and as NTIPRIT is already engaged in capacity building and research in related areas, this activity will need to (be) entrust(ed) to NTIPRIT along with additional related respon- sibilities as indicated under this head,” the DoT note suggested.

NTIPRIT has been envisaged as an institute of international repute for capacity building and enabling research in India-centric technologies and policies.

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