India represents a crucial market for Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson, which is set to enhance its research and development (R&D) operations in the country, according to a company executive on Wednesday.
Andres Vicente, Head of Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India at Ericsson, made these remarks during the India Mobile Congress 2024. He noted that the company is intensifying its efforts in artificial intelligence, generative AI, and network APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) at its R&D centers across India.
“India is among Ericsson’s most important markets globally, and we take great pride in our achievements here. We have been manufacturing in India since 1994,” Vicente stated. He highlighted the potential for significant growth and innovation through the integration of high-performance programmable networks and network APIs, particularly given India’s vibrant developer and startup ecosystem.
“We plan to increase our investment in research and development focused on 6G, network APIs, and artificial intelligence,” Vicente explained. The R&D teams will work on developing programmable and API capabilities to facilitate advanced applications such as fraud detection, device management, and security, as well as creating more straightforward and secure network interfaces, according to a company statement.
Ericsson currently operates R&D facilities in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram, engaging in various telecom domains, including Transport, Packet Core, OSS, BSS, Cloud, and advanced AI technologies. “India is a leader in 5G technology, and we are at a pivotal moment for 5G adoption. The country excels in infrastructure development for 5G, having deployed nearly half a million base stations in just 22 months, achieving over 90 percent coverage. This progress has propelled India from 86th to 16th place in network performance,” Vicente added.
In previous announcements, Ericsson has partnered with Bharti Airtel and Jio for their 5G rollouts. Most recently, the company secured a contract for 4G and 5G RAN (Radio Access Network) with Vi (Vodafone-Idea).
Ericsson is a global leader in telecommunications and technology, renowned for its pioneering innovations in mobile networks and digital services. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the company has played a key role in shaping the telecommunications industry for over a century.
Ericsson is a major provider of 5G infrastructure, helping to power next-generation connectivity across the globe. The company’s offerings span a broad range of solutions, including wireless communications, cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
With a strong emphasis on research and development, Ericsson continually drives advancements in network performance and digital transformation. Its technologies support mobile operators, enterprises, and governments in enabling fast, reliable, and secure communications, positioning the company at the forefront of the digital revolution.
