Plans global R&D and a network of training centres. Inks MoU in presence of visiting TS IT Minister K.T.Rama Rao.

Taiwanese multinational firm D-Link, a leader in networking and connectivity products, plans to invest Rs.350 crore on setting up new facilities and expanding its operations in Hyderabad.

Apart from setting up a global research and development centre as well as a network of training centres and expanding its offices in Hyderabad, D-Link will work with Telangana government to enhance public internet access. On Friday, it entered into an MoU with the government.

The agreement, signed in the presence of visiting IT Minister K.T.Rama Rao in Taipei, will bolster local IT industry by improving network infrastructure, investing in the region and developing new talent, a release issued by the Minister’s office said.

The firm has been operating in the country for nearly 25 years and has an Indian arm D-Link (India) Ltd. As part of the collaboration, it will work with the State government to upgrade government networking infrastructure towards meeting the latest security standards and reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks.

Stating that D-Link will deploy Wi-Fi hotspots to provide public internet access, the release said the firm is looking to grow local talent and create jobs through education, recruitment, and training of local personnel. A total of 1,000 new jobs will be created through its initiative.

D-Link CEO Douglas Hsiao was quoted in the release as saying that India’s potential as an emerging market is immense and Hyderabad is quickly becoming a major tech hub. “By supporting its growth and fostering talent, we believe we can open up new opportunities for both India and D-Link,” he declared. In India, D-Link has over 80 distribution channels and more than 2,000 sales partners.