Ericsson expands ‘Made in India’ production to 6G

Ericsson plans to produce every piece of telecom equipment it sells in India — including future 6G gear — within the country, a senior company executive said at the India Mobile Congress 2025.

As reported by the Business Standard, 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 rollout expected later.

“Our intention is to manufacture in India everything we sell in India,” Vicente said.

The company already produces 4G and 5G network equipment locally and exports to several Asian markets. As part of its continued expansion, Ericsson has increased research and development activities at its ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) facility in Bengaluru and recently started producing passive antennas in collaboration with VVDN Technologies.

Vicente said the company plans to grow its ASIC R&D team to about 150 engineers. “We are constantly increasing the value addition in the equipment produced locally,” he added.

Building a broader manufacturing ecosystem

Vicente noted that India has a rare opportunity to strengthen its position as a global telecom manufacturing hub by developing a complete supply chain for advanced technologies.

“India has a lifetime opportunity to become an alternative ecosystem where all the components are produced here,” he said. “To develop these sophisticated products, we are still importing many components. We need to change that by investing in a holistic way — not only in anchor brands like Ericsson, but also in the ecosystem of components, filters, batteries, closures, and many other things.”

Ericsson’s plan aligns with India’s growing focus on self-reliant manufacturing and advanced technology exports. The company’s local operations already contribute to both domestic demand and regional exports, reflecting its long-term commitment to India’s telecom sector.

Expanding beyond telecom

Beyond traditional telecom gear, Ericsson is also exploring other applications of its technology in India. One such initiative is in partnership with the World Food Programme — a 5G-enabled smart distribution system called Grain ATM Annapurti.

Designed to function like an ATM, the Annapurti kiosks dispense food grains using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. Each machine can deliver between 25 and 30 kilograms of grains in about 30 seconds, ensuring fast and precise distribution.

The machines have already been deployed in cities such as Shillong, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Bhopal. The project supports the government’s One Nation, One Ration Card initiative by offering 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 local manufacturing with innovations that serve broader social needs, Ericsson aims to deepen its role in India’s 6G journey — from powering next-generation mobile networks to supporting inclusive technologies that reach communities across the country.

See also: Private 5G takes off: Airbus taps Ericsson for smart factory network

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Tags: 6g, connectivity, ericsson, India, network, telecoms