India is urging its major telecom operators– Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea – to increase the use of homegrown telecom equipment rather than relying on foreign makers like Cisco and Ericsson. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked these companies to share detailed plans how they will integrate more Indian-made technology in their network.
Local Equipment Must Match Global Standards
Indian telecom players have emphasized that Indian made gear should match the global benchmark in terms of quality, credibility and pricing. To effectively manage costs, operators are focusing on deploying local equipment for new network projects rather than replacing existing foreign-made infrastructure.
Part of India’s Self-Reliance and Security Strategy
The move has been closely associated with India’s widespread Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, aims to promote domestic manufacturing and create more opportunities for Indian suppliers. In the long term, the increase in the use of locally built telecommunications gear can also strengthen national security by reducing dependence on foreign vendors.
