The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded more than $19 million for the development of wireless networks, with nearly half going to a Miramar-area firm.
Recon RF Inc. will receive $9.46 million for advanced research and development linked to “next generation 5G/6G open radio units.” The remainder went to a Virginia company, DeepSig Inc., which is working on implement AI functions in open radio units.
The department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration issued the third and final batch of grants from the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund’s second funding round.
The $1.5 billion Wireless Innovation Fund supports work on open and interoperable wireless equipment in hopes of helping to drive competition, strengthen global supply chains and lower costs for consumers and network operators.
“Wireless innovation is a major driver for U.S. competition and leadership globally,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s investments in open and interoperable wireless networks will help secure global leadership and increase competition in the wireless market.”
This batch of awards supports projects focused on open radio unit innovation and commercialization. Applicants were required to partner with a mobile network operator to help produce products that will be commercially viable.
“Our awards today are tackling a major wireless network expense head-on with support to bring more open radio units to market,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson.
So far, more than $550 million has been awarded from the Wireless Innovation Fund, backed by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The fund is set to invest $1.5 billion over the next decade to support the development of open and interoperable networks.
