Nokia has reported a production milestone of seven million telecom units at its Chennai factory which manufactures 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G massive MIMO products, 4G/LTE radios as well as Fiber Broadband equipment among others.
The Chennai factory, identified as one of Nokia’s largest globally, has been in operation for fifteen years, during which it has been engaged in manufacturing telecom infrastructure equipment, including technology for 4G/5G networks, catering to both domestic and international markets. Nokia said that the factory plays a key role in bolstering telecom equipment manufacturing in India.
The array of products manufactured at this factory includes 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G massive MIMO products, 4G/LTE radios, and Fiber Broadband equipment, among others. Nokia claimed that approximately 50 percent of the production from this facility is exported. Additionally, Nokia asserted a notable increase in the localisation of components in 5G equipment manufacturing, with a twofold rise compared to previous years.
Teemu Toiviainen, Head, Global Manufacturing & EMS Management, Nokia, said: “Our Chennai factory is a testament to the skill and expertise of Indian talent. From being the first to manufacture 5G NR in India to now producing 5G massive MIMO products and transport network elements, we have come a long way.”
“We at Nokia strongly believe in sustainability to make the world a better place for future generations. This factory operates with wind and solar energy, contributing up to 81% of green energy consumption until most recently; targeting to be 100% by 2025,” Toiviainen said.
Nokia reported a significant 327% increase in net sales from its India business, escalating to 853 million euros in Q1 of 2023 from 200 million euros during the same period in the previous year. This surge was attributed to the expansion of 5G networks by Indian telecom operators Airtel and Reliance Jio.
On February 13, 2023, Nokia expanded its production scope to include fiber broadband equipment in India, in response to the shifts in consumer behavior driving the demand for broadband, such as home working and data-rich entertainment services.
Smart Manufacturing Implementation:
The Chennai factory is also pioneering in smart manufacturing practices under a program dubbed the ‘Conscious factory’. It recently marked the implementation of India’s first ‘real-world’ Smart Manufacturing application of Industry 4.0. This entails leveraging solutions like Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), connected Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), reinforcing the factory’s position at the forefront of manufacturing innovation.
