Scindia Inaugurates Ericsson’s Antenna Plant, Boosting Make in India Vision

In a landmark moment for India’s telecom manufacturing sector, Union Minister of Communications and Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated Ericsson’s cutting-edge antenna manufacturing facility at VVDN Technologies’ Global Innovation Park in Manesar, Haryana. The new unit marks a significant milestone in India's transition from being a telecom consumer market to becoming a global manufacturing and innovation hub.

The inauguration, held amidst a gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and engineers, was marked by the Minister formally activating the production line, followed by a live demonstration of the antenna production workflow. The walkthrough offered attendees a glimpse into the precision-engineering and automation technologies embedded in the facility.

A Leap Forward in India’s Digital Manufacturing

Describing the event as a pivotal moment in India's digital and industrial journey, Minister Scindia said, “This is not merely the inauguration of a plant—it is the birthplace of future network infrastructure, set to connect millions worldwide. It showcases not just global confidence in India’s capabilities but also India’s deepening self-belief in its own technological future.”

The facility represents Ericsson’s first antenna manufacturing unit in India, and notably, one of the first globally to localize the production of passive antennas—critical components used in building 4G and 5G network infrastructure. Shipments from the facility are set to begin in July 2025, initially serving both domestic and international markets.

Make in India to Make for the World

Highlighting the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Scindia remarked, “This is where global innovation converges with Indian ingenuity. Today, ‘Make in India’ is rapidly evolving into a ‘Make for the World’ movement. We are not just assembling parts—we are becoming creators of globally relevant technologies.”

The new unit is developed in collaboration between Ericsson and VVDN Technologies, with over 50% of the passive antenna components for India’s growing telecom networks now being produced locally. This not only supports import substitution, but also reinforces India’s status as a reliable, value-driven production hub.

Global Technology Meets Indian Talent

Scindia underscored that the success of India’s telecom sector is built not only on foreign direct investment but also on technological partnerships with global companies such as Ericsson, Apple, Google, and Qualcomm. “These collaborations have brought in advanced technology standards, global production best practices, and robust training ecosystems for Indian engineers,” he said.

Ericsson has already established a strong presence in India through various strategic initiatives, including:

• Its Global AI Accelerator in Bengaluru

• Investments in network APIs and automation

• Skill-building through platforms like ‘Ericsson Educate’

These efforts have advanced India’s position in the global telecom value chain, transforming it from a technology adopter to a technology contributor.

Policy Support Fueling Telecom Growth

Scindia credited the Government of India’s progressive policies, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, for the transformation in the telecom manufacturing landscape. According to the Minister:

• The PLI scheme has attracted over ₹4,000 crore in investments

• It has generated ₹80,000 crore in production value

• Over 34,000 new jobs have been created in the telecom ecosystem

He also cited liberalized FDI policies, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and targeted initiatives under Digital India as foundational to the sector's 7% contribution to India’s GDP. Since 2000, India has attracted over USD 39 billion in foreign investment in telecom alone.

Focus on Skills and Future Technologies

The facility also complements India’s national vision of skilling its youth for future technologies. Scindia noted the Department of Telecommunications’ 5G Use Case Labs, now active in over 100 academic institutions, and Ericsson’s AI and IoT training modules, which are empowering more than 10,000 students with industry-relevant knowledge.

Ericsson’s Commitment to India

Mikael Eriksson, Head of Antenna Systems at Ericsson, called the Manesar facility a long-term investment in Indian engineering and talent. “We are committed to building a full-spectrum antenna ecosystem in India—this facility is just the beginning,” he said. The company aims to integrate supply chain localization, R&D capabilities, and advanced manufacturing practices to further strengthen India's telecom backbone.

Towards Shatabdi Kaal: India’s Century of Innovation

Concluding his address, Scindia reflected on India’s broader developmental trajectory. “As we move from Amrit Kaal to Shatabdi Kaal, India is not only transforming itself—it is set to transform the world through its youth, its innovation, and its global partnerships.”

This facility, he emphasized, is symbolic of a new India—confident, capable, and connected to the world on its own terms.