In a significant development for India’s broadband industry, Dixon Technologies, a premier electronic manufacturing services (EMS) company, has officially started producing fixed broadband devices in collaboration with Nokia. This initiative aims to cater to the country’s growing demand for high-speed internet, fueled by the rapid adoption of Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technologies.
A joint statement from Dixon and Nokia highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership, emphasizing its role in accelerating India’s digital transformation. “We are thrilled to partner with Nokia to manufacture fixed broadband devices locally,” said Atul B. Lall, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Dixon Technologies. “This collaboration not only reinforces our commitment to Make in India but also positions us to meet the surging demand for broadband services in the country.”
The partnership leverages Nokia’s cutting-edge technology and Dixon’s manufacturing expertise to produce a range of devices, including customer premises equipment (CPE) for FTTH and FWA networks. As India’s demand for reliable, high-speed internet grows, this collaboration is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Sanjay Malik, Senior Vice President and Head of India Market at Nokia, stated, “India is seeing massive demand for fiber connectivity from both fixed and mobile operators. OLT production at our Chennai plant will offer a timely boost to meeting this demand in a timely way. Service providers in India will benefit from the increased availability of both existing Lightspan product lines as well as upcoming GPON access nodes which offer smaller lower-density OLTs to suit a range of conditions and requirements.”
The demand for fixed broadband services in India has been on a steady rise, with the number of broadband subscribers crossing 900 million in 2024, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This growth is attributed to the widespread adoption of FTTH and 5G FWA technologies, which offer high-speed internet with low latency. Analysts predict that by 2026, India will have over 150 million FTTH connections, driven by increased internet penetration and government initiatives like BharatNet.
Industry experts believe this partnership could significantly boost India’s telecom infrastructure. “Local manufacturing of fixed broadband devices is a game-changer,” said Rohan Dhamija, Head of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at Analysys Mason. “It ensures a reliable supply chain, reduces costs, and supports the government’s push for self-reliance in telecom equipment.”
This initiative aligns with India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which offers financial incentives for companies investing in local manufacturing. The government has been actively promoting the scheme to attract global telecom players to set up operations in India, fostering innovation and job creation in the technology sector.
The collaboration also supports environmental sustainability, with Dixon and Nokia focusing on producing energy-efficient devices with a reduced carbon footprint. As India moves toward its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, such partnerships are crucial in promoting green technology solutions.
