India has achieved a mobile network breakthrough with the successful certification of its first telecom system built entirely on indigenous chips. The development, led by Saankhya Labs and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), signals a major shift in reducing India’s reliance on foreign semiconductors for critical communications infrastructure.
India’s First Indigenous Telecom System: A Strategic Milestone
India’s first fully indigenous telecom system—was granted certification by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) in August 2025, according to a press release from the Ministry of Communications. This is the first time a 4G/5G radio access network (RAN) and core platform built entirely on Indian-designed and manufactured chips has passed government-mandated technical evaluation.
The system was developed jointly by Saankhya Labs, a Bengaluru-based semiconductor firm, and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector enterprise. The successful approval allows the product to be commercially deployed in Indian telecom networks and opens the door to export opportunities.
“This is a huge leap toward India’s semiconductor sovereignty,” said Dr. Parag Naik, CEO of Saankhya Labs, in a public statement. “We’ve shown that indigenous innovation can meet international performance benchmarks.”
From Vision to Reality: Reducing Chip Import Dependency
India has long depended on imported network equipment and chipsets from global suppliers, primarily from the United States, Taiwan, and China. According to a 2023 report from the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC), over 85% of India’s telecom hardware components were imported.
This mobile network breakthrough aligns with the Indian government’s larger Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021, has committed ₹76,000 crore to develop domestic chip design, fabrication, and assembly capabilities.
“We are now witnessing the first tangible result of that investment,” said S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), during a press briefing at Semicon India 2025.
Technical Specifications and Performance Benchmarks
Full-Stack Telecom System on Indian Chips
The certified system includes:
- Baseband units and radio units for 4G and 5G networks
- A 5G Core Network stack
- Antenna systems built on India-manufactured silicon
The underlying chipsets were designed by Saankhya Labs, fabricated through a partnership with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, and tested by BEL’s defence-grade validation facilities.
“The end-to-end system, including baseband processors and software-defined radios, meets 3GPP standards,” confirmed Dr. Anirban Roy, lead engineer on the project, speaking to The Hindu BusinessLine.
Wider Applications Across Defence, Rural Connectivity, and Exports
In addition to commercial telecom operators, the government plans to deploy this indigenous system across:
- Defence communication networks
- Disaster relief and remote area coverage
- Strategic installations where reliance on foreign hardware poses security risks
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has also confirmed that pilot deployments in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh are scheduled for Q1 2026.
“This success allows India to scale secure and trusted networks in sensitive regions,” said Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhary, advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
Global Context and Competitive Edge
Globally, India is entering a domain traditionally dominated by firms like Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia. The Indian breakthrough offers a cost-competitive and politically neutral alternative in a market increasingly constrained by geopolitical tensions and tech sanctions.
“Geopolitical realignments have created a market void,” said Dr. Ritu Awasthi, a technology policy expert at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). “India can now pitch itself as a non-aligned supplier of secure telecom infrastructure.”
What This Means for India’s Chip Sovereignty Push
This development closely follows the launch of India’s first made-in-India chip, showcased at Semicon India 2025, and signals growing momentum in India’s semiconductor ecosystem. As of mid-2025, five major chip fabrication units and 25 chip design startups have been approved under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme.
The KW2 (e.g., semiconductor independence), KW3 (telecom innovation), and KW4 (local manufacturing) are now becoming strategic priorities, with direct implications for GDP, national security, and India’s role in the global technology supply chain.
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Conclusion
India’s mobile network breakthrough—marked by the certification of a telecom system built on indigenous chips—represents more than a technical feat. It reflects a broader transition toward technology sovereignty, signalling India’s readiness to shape its own digital future without overreliance on external suppliers.
