Ericsson plans to manufacture every piece of telecom equipment it sells in India — including future 6G hardware — within the country, a senior company executive announced at India Mobile Congress 2025.
Andres Vicente, Head of Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India at Ericsson, said the company expects 6G trials to begin around 2028, with commercial deployments to follow. “Our intention is to manufacture in India everything we sell in India,” he added.
Ericsson already produces 4G and 5G network equipment locally and exports to multiple Asian markets. To expand its footprint, the company is ramping up research and development at its ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) facility in Bengaluru and has started local production of passive antennas in partnership with VVDN Technologies.
Vicente said Ericsson intends to grow its ASIC R&D team to about 150 engineers as part of ongoing efforts to increase the value added by locally produced equipment. “We are constantly increasing the value addition in the equipment produced locally,” he noted.
Building a broader manufacturing ecosystem
Vicente emphasized that India has a strategic opportunity to become a global telecom manufacturing hub by developing an end-to-end supply chain for advanced technologies. While sophisticated products still require many imported parts, he said India can change that by investing across the full ecosystem — not only in anchor companies like Ericsson but also in component manufacturing for filters, batteries, closures, and other critical parts.
This approach aligns with India’s broader push for self-reliant manufacturing and increased high-tech exports. Ericsson’s local operations already support domestic demand and regional exports, reflecting a long-term commitment to India’s telecom industry.
Expanding beyond telecom
Ericsson is also exploring applications of its technology beyond conventional network equipment. In collaboration with the World Food Programme, the company is piloting a 5G-enabled smart distribution system called Grain ATM Annapurti.
Designed to operate like an ATM, the Annapurti kiosks dispense food grains using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. Each machine can deliver about 25 to 30 kilograms of grain in roughly 30 seconds, enabling fast, accurate distribution and reducing queues and delays.
These machines are already deployed in cities including Shillong, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Bhopal. The initiative supports India’s One Nation, One Ration Card program by providing round-the-clock access to food grains.
“Over the next year, 23 new, highly automated Annapurti machines will be deployed across India, underscoring how 5G can foster digital inclusion and food security,” Vicente said.
By combining expanded local manufacturing with technology deployments that address social needs, Ericsson aims to strengthen its role in India’s path to 6G — from building next-generation mobile networks to supporting inclusive platforms that reach communities nationwide.
See also: Private 5G takes off: Airbus taps Ericsson for smart factory network
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