PAVE THE PATH FOR INDIAN TELECOM EQUIPMENT

India must take steps to urgently overcome testing and certification challenges to ensure the safety and security of 5G infrastructure in the country

- LT GEN DR S P KOCHHAR

Recent years have seen a massive geo-political shift in the global ICT manufacturing landscape, and these developments have put India in an advantageous position in the manufacturing arena. From being a major service-sector-based economy till a few years back, India has now stepped up to become a globally leading industrial nation, especially in the important areas of ICT, from software to assembly and core manufacturing.

India’s gradual progress in this domain is pretty visible, and the country is gaining in each area in a phased manner. While India’s prowess in software is already established with the globally acknowledged capabilities in IT and ITeS, assembling has also become an increasingly important trait of India with the growing number of mobile devices and handset production facilities.

The Production Linked Incentive, PLI scheme announced by the government for telecom and networking products worth Rs 12,195 crore and its amendment in June 2022 to introduce a Design-led Manufacturing Scheme with additional incentives of more than USD 533.33 million indicate the government’s progressive approach to core manufacturing as well. This surely resonates well with the national objectives of gaining Atmanirbharta or self-reliance and Make in India.