Nokia has opened its largest global R&D facility for fixed networks in Chennai, marking a significant expansion in India’s telecom innovation ecosystem. The new center at SIPCOT Siruseri will drive advancements in next-generation broadband technologies while creating over 200 high-skill jobs.
Major Investment Commitment
The Nokia R&D facility for fixed networks has boosted its planned investment to INR 270 crore for phase one up from an initial INR 220 crore with phase two slated at around INR 300 crore.
This follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Tamil Nadu government during Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s US visit in August 2024.
The Nokia R&D facility for fixed networks positions Chennai as a hub for cutting-edge research, including a global testbed for 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G optical networks, fixed wireless access (FWA), and related innovations.
Government and Industry Support
Tamil Nadu Industries Minister TRB Rajaa celebrated the inauguration on social media, highlighting Nokia’s deep roots in the state’s telecom ecosystem. “Dear Tamil Nadu, say hello to Nokia’s world’s largest R&D facility for fixed networks,” Rajaa posted. “Yesterday (February 6), Nokia inaugurated the new facility at SIPCOT Siruseri, Chennai, creating over 200 high-end jobs in the state.”
He added: “Nokia is one of the earliest and most important R&D investors in the state, deeply embedded in Chennai’s telecom and network engineering ecosystem.” Nokia currently employs nearly 1,000 engineers in Tamil Nadu and partners with major Indian operators like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea on 5G RAN deployments.
