Swedish telecom giant Ericsson has announced a landmark decision to manufacture all telecom gear sold in India—including future 6G equipment—within the country, marking a major milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in digital infrastructure. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2025, Andres Vicente, Head of Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, confirmed that Ericsson will localize its entire product portfolio, including 4G, 5G, and upcoming 6G technologies.
“Our intention is to manufacture in India everything we sell in India,” Vicente said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to deepening its footprint in the Indian telecom ecosystem. The announcement aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom and networking products.
Ericsson’s India Manufacturing Strategy
| Component Type | Current Status | Future Plan (2025–2028) |
|---|---|---|
| 4G & 5G Radio Equipment | Manufactured in Pune | Expanded production for exports |
| Passive Antennas | Produced with VVDN | Full-scale domestic rollout |
| ASIC R&D (Bengaluru) | 80 engineers | Expanded to 150 engineers |
| 6G Equipment | In R&D phase | Trials by 2028, local production |
India’s 6G Ambitions and Ericsson’s Role
Ericsson’s announcement comes as India accelerates its roadmap for indigenous 6G development. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has already initiated groundwork for early trials, aiming for commercial deployment in the early 2030s. Ericsson’s local manufacturing and R&D expansion are expected to play a pivotal role in supporting these national objectives.
6G Timeline and Strategic Goals
| Milestone | Target Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| R&D Expansion | 2025–2026 | ASIC, antenna, and software labs |
| Prototype Development | 2026–2027 | 6G-ready base stations and chips |
| Field Trials | 2028 | Initial 6G trials in urban clusters |
| Commercial Rollout | 2030–2032 | Nationwide deployment |
Beyond Telecom: Ericsson’s 5G-Powered Grain ATM Initiative
In a unique showcase of 5G’s social impact, Ericsson is deploying Aadhaar-enabled food grain kiosks—called Grain ATM Annapurti—in partnership with the World Food Programme. These machines dispense 25–30 kg of grains in 30 seconds using biometric authentication, supporting the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.
Grain ATM Deployment Status
| City | Machines Installed | Daily Beneficiaries | Technology Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shillong | 4 | 2,500+ | 5G + Aadhaar |
| Varanasi | 5 | 3,000+ | 5G + IoT |
| Gorakhpur | 3 | 1,800+ | 5G + Cloud |
| Lucknow | 6 | 3,500+ | 5G + Biometric |
| Bhopal | 5 | 2,900+ | 5G + AI-enabled UI |
India’s Telecom Manufacturing Ecosystem: A Lifetime Opportunity
Vicente emphasized that India has a “lifetime opportunity” to become a global telecom manufacturing hub. He called for holistic investments not just in anchor brands like Ericsson, but also in the ecosystem of components—filters, batteries, closures, and semiconductors.
India’s Telecom Manufacturing Outlook
| Segment | Growth Driver | Forecast CAGR (2025–2030) |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Equipment | 5G and 6G demand | 18% |
| Passive Components | Local sourcing push | 15% |
| Semiconductor Packaging | AI and IoT integration | 22% |
| Software & R&D | Global export potential | 25% |
Disclaimer: This news content is based on verified public statements, industry reports, and official disclosures as of October 10, 2025. It is intended for editorial use and public awareness. The information does not constitute investment advice or product endorsement and adheres to ethical journalism standards.
