WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded $13 million in the second round of grants from the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund’s first Notice of Funding Opportunity.
The $1.5 billion Wireless Innovation Fund supports the development of open and interoperable wireless networks as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. Open and interoperable wireless equipment will help drive competition, strengthen global supply chain resilience and lower costs for consumers and network operators.
“We need to lead on innovation in wireless technology to create a more secure, resilient supply chain, boost our economic competitiveness, and protect our national security,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Wireless Innovation Fund will drive innovation in open and interoperable networks, helping ensure America leads the world in critical next generation wireless technologies.”
The development of new, open-architecture approaches to wireless networks will help to ensure that future wireless equipment is built by the U.S. and its global allies and partners – not vendors from nations that threaten national security.
What They're Saying
Click below to read what they are saying about today’s Wireless Innovation Fund grants
“The transition to open, interoperable wireless networks is now well on its way — bringing with it greater security, competition, and resiliency,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “The Wireless Innovation Fund will accelerate this shift by supporting the foundational research and testing needed for this crucial technology.”
This second round of funding will support research and development of new and improved testing methods for open and interoperable networks. The projects focus on advancing security and energy efficiency testing, automating the testing process, and leveraging artificial intelligence to improve network and software testing.
The funding totals $13,008,526 and was awarded to seven projects across six states. NTIA previously awarded nearly $5.5 million in the first round of funding in August, bringing the total of Wireless Innovation Fund awards to more than $18 million.
Funded by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Innovation Fund will invest $1.5 billion over the next decade to support the development of open and interoperable networks. NTIA will make up to $140.5 million in grants available on a rolling basis from the first Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Energy Efficiency
Applicant |
R&D Sub-Type |
Funding Amount |
Project Title and Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Networking Foundtation | Energy Efficiency |
$1,964,462 |
5G Energy Efficiency: Metrics, Models, and Systems Tests |
Automation
Applicant |
R&D Subtype |
Funding Amount |
Project Title and Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University | Automation |
$1,998,773 |
DigiRAN: High-Fidelity Digital Twins for Interoperability, Security and Performance Testing of Open RAN Systems |
| Michigan State University | Automation |
$1,731,182 |
AI-Enabled Efficient Testing and Evaluation for RU, DU, and CU Components of 5G Radio Access Networks |
Security/Cybersecurity
Applicant |
R&D Subtype |
Funding Amount |
Project Title and Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State University | Security/Cybersecurity |
$1,322,825 |
Testing Methods R&D on Security Metrics, Measures, and Test Procedures for Accessible and Customizable Testing |
| Booz Allen Hamilton | Security/Cybersecurity |
$1,991,300 |
Enhancing O-RAN Systems Against Sophisticated Attacks |
Improved Testing Methods
Applicant |
R&D Subtype |
Funding Amount |
Project Title and Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Improved Testing Methods - Network Functions |
$2,000,000 |
Learning-Based ORAN Testing |
| PhasorLab | Improved Testing Methods - Equipment/Software |
$1,999,984 |
5GLM: A Large Language Model to Simulate UE Models at Scale with Applications to Realistic ORAN Network Testing |
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About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.