More Than 120 Applications Submitted For the Wireless Innovation Fund

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) received 127 applications requesting $1.39 billion to support testing and research and development activities related to open and interoperable wireless networks, according to preliminary data released. Applicants requested $146 million for research and development projects, and $1.2 billion for testing and evaluation activities. NTIA will make up to $140.5 million available in this first round of funding from the $1.5 billion Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. Applications for the first round of funding were due June 2, 2923. NTIA will evaluate the applications and make the first awards in August, 2023.  These funds are expected to be used for a range of R&D and testing activities, including: 

• Expanding industry-accepted testing and evaluation (T&E) activities to assess and facilitate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of open and interoperable, standards-based 5G radio access networks; and
• Developing new or improved testing methodologies to test, evaluate, and validate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of these networks, including their component parts.