On Friday, Nokia is set to ink a deal to build the world’s largest fixed network testbed in Chennai, marking a significant milestone in the telecommunications sector. This new facility will drive Nokia’s advancements in cutting-edge passive optical networks, including 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G technologies.
The project, with an investment of approximately ₹450 crore, will be one of Nokia’s most extensive research and development (R&D) centers, focusing on areas like fixed wireless access, multi-dwelling unit solutions, access networks, and home controllers.
The agreement will be signed in San Francisco, witnessed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who is currently on a 17-day tour of the United States aimed at attracting new investments to the state. This marks Stalin’s fifth international trip since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) came to power in 2021, following previous visits to the UAE, Singapore, Japan, and Spain to secure investment proposals for Tamil Nadu. The new Nokia center will be located at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) in Siruseri.
T.R.B. Rajaa, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce, emphasized the state’s evolution into a global hub for R&D and technology services. “Nokia has been a key partner in Tamil Nadu’s growth, and it’s a matter of pride that this new facility, likely the largest fixed network lab within Nokia and possibly in the world, will be set up in Chennai,” Rajaa stated. He credited Chief Minister Stalin’s initiatives, such as the Naan Mudhalvan program and the Tamil Nadu R&D Policy 2022, for attracting unprecedented investments and generating high-value jobs.
The new Nokia center is expected to create around 100 specialized jobs and accelerate the development of next-generation networks. The Tamil Nadu government will provide necessary infrastructure, regulatory, and policy support to facilitate the project, reinforcing Chennai’s strategic importance in Nokia’s global operations and highlighting the region’s growing status as a technology innovation hub.
During his US visit, Stalin will also stop in Chicago to engage with various multinational companies. His previous international trips have resulted in investment proposals totaling ₹10,882 crore through 17 memoranda of understanding (MoUs), which are projected to create over 18,500 jobs. Five of these projects, valued at ₹990 crore, have already commenced production.
Before departing for the US, Stalin noted that since his government assumed office, Tamil Nadu has secured around 872 investment deals, amounting to ₹9.99 trillion, and creating approximately 1.89 million jobs. Of these, 234 projects have already begun production. During a Global Investors Meet in January, the state received investment commitments totaling around ₹6.6 trillion, with projects worth ₹59,454 crore reportedly already realized.
