Nokia Siemens Networks, a major enabler of telecommunications services, is planning to expand its Chennai (Oragadam) manufacturing facility from 35,000 sq. m. to 55,000 sq. m. and increase the number of product lines to 33.
The reason for expansion comes in the wake of growing demand for telecom equipment with increasing in GSM (Global System for Mobile) footprint, rapid growth in the 3G (third generation) market and the expected rollout of TD-LTE (time division duplex-long term evolution).
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Ashish Chowdhary, Head of India region, Customer Operations East and Executive Board Member, Nokia Siemens Networks, said the company, since inception in 2008, had invested $75 million in the Chennai facility.
Of which, the company would now spend $15 million in the expansion programme. The Chennai facility had rolled out more than 8.6 lakh units till date.
Of this nearly 40 per cent were exported last year. Similarly, it also planned to increase the product lines from the current 28 to 33.
The expansion would allow Nokia Siemens to export about 37 per cent of the facility's production across the Asia Pacific.
It would also enable the company to manufacture and distribute new multi-radio and LTE products.
The facility would offer energy-efficient equipment to reduce the carbon footprint of new network deployments.
It had already started producing innovative flexi-multi-radio antenna system, which formed part of Nokia Siemens' Liquid Radio Architecture, according to Herbert Merz, Global Head of Operations and Executive Board Member, Nokia Siemens Networks.
Mr. Ashish said the expansion would strengthen India's position as one of the company's major manufacturing hubs in Asia Pacific.
The facility had played an instrumental role in enabling Indian operators to roll out their 3G networks quickly and making Nokia Siemens the leading international 3G mobile infrastructure and services vendor in India with about 30 per cent market share.
He said the company had been continuously investing in its global network solutions centre in Chennai.
