Nokia Siemens Networks first to commence 3G manufacturing in India

CHENNAI, INDIA: Deployment of 3G networks in the Indian subcontinent is now faster and easier as Nokia Siemens Networks starts manufacturing 3G mobile communications infrastructure at its Chennai facility. With this move, Nokia Siemens Networks becomes the country’s first telecommunications infrastructure vendor to manufacture 3G products locally.

“India is not just a high-growth market but also an innovation hub for us. Our manufacturing operations in India reflect our unwavering focus on the country and enhance our proximity to our customers,” said Urs Pennanen, head of the India region at Nokia Siemens Networks.

“With 3G licenses underway and the country taking huge strides in telecommunications, operators require a local manufacturing partner. This is definitely the right time and place to begin 3G manufacturing for India.”

The first batch of LTE-ready 3G base stations rolled out of the Chennai facility this week. Nokia Siemens Networks will initially manufacture radio frequency modules and system modules, ramping up production for both these products by almost three-fold towards the latter half of the year.

In addition, the company plans to commence production of transport modules and next-generation microwave radios from the second half of 2010, as well as increase its 3G manufacturing headcount from 75 to 210 by the third quarter 2010.

“While the products manufactured here are intended for both local and global markets, the demands of the Indian market will be given priority in the manufacturing decisions,” said Herbert Merz, head of operations for Nokia Siemens Networks. “With 3G manufacturing capabilities in the country, we will be able to facilitate a faster time to market of 3G services for our customers since all key elements, including production, distribution, logistics and remote delivery, will be taken care of locally.”

By developing the local ecosystem, Nokia Siemens Networks is showing its commitment to the roll-out of 3G services in India. The company has set up 3G test labs in the country and has trained 3200 Indian field engineers to support 3G roll-outs.

Furthermore, the company’s Global Network Solutions Centers (GNSC's) in Noida and Chennai are fully equipped to manage 3G networks remotely. These GNSCs already serve 27 3G operators globally, maintaining, operating and optimizing their networks, which support millions of subscribers across the globe.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ research and development (R&D) center in Bengaluru supports 3G-related initiatives for the domestic market, and the company has already carried out site surveys for 3G deployment.

Serving 240 million subscribers, or more than half of all 3G subscribers, via the 172 operators who have deployed its 3G networks, Nokia Siemens Networks is the leading enabler of 3G globally.

The company inaugurated its Chennai facility for the manufacturing and distribution of mobile communications infrastructure in 2008, with an investment of USD 70 million. The facility, with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, has until now been involved in the production of 2G communication infrastructure for local and global customers.