By May 31, PLI telecom exports by Indian enterprises totaled Rs 6,911 Cr

The answer was given in response to a query on India's capabilities in 5G technology and its potential to become a significant exporter of telecom technology across the globe.

By May 31, 2023, Indian enterprises have reported exports of Rs 6,911 crores under the PLI ( Production Linked Incentive) programme.

In his written response to a non-starred question in the Lok Sabha on July 26, 2023, Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of state for Communications, emphasized this accomplishment.

The answer was given in response to a query on India's capabilities in 5G technology and its potential to become a significant exporter of telecom technology across the globe.

In his written response on Wednesday, the Minister provided the following main points.

• The Minister claims that India has created its own 4G/5G technology stacks.

• That Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has already started implementing these cutting-edge technologies.

• The response continued, "The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched several key programmes targeted at positioning India as a global manufacturing hub in order to further strengthen the telecom ecosystem and stimulate research and development".

PLI Scheme: This PLI programme, which went into effect on February 24, 2021, aims to encourage design-led manufacturing in the nation as well as domestic manufacturing of specific telecom and networking equipment, including 4G and 5G technologies. Notably, businesses participating in this scheme have generated exports of Rs 6911 crores as of May 31, 2023.

Telecom Technology Development Fund: The reply states that the DoT has already approved 2 projects under this programme, totaling a grant of Rs 240.5 crores, with 5 percent of annual receipts from the Universal Service Obligation Fund committed to funding this purpose.

Digital Communication Innovation Square(DCIS) : DCIS, which is being implemented as part of the Champion Services Sector Scheme (CSSS), intends to foster a thriving start-up culture and create an inclusive, robust ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in the telecom industry. According to the Minister's response, 126 startups and MSMEs have so far received money from the DoT totaling Rs 105.87 crores in grant-in-aid.

With policy backing from the government under the production linked incentive or PLI scheme, Telecom and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also recently urged the telecom industry to double its current level of telecom manufacturing efforts of 18000 crore while speaking at the curtain raiser for IMC 2023.

“Telecom manufacturing worth Rs 18000 crore has already taken place under the PLI programme. When you scale up to 4x, 5x, or 10x, the government will back your policy. Make India a global leader in technology, let’s make India a technology powerhouse,” he said

In addition to emphasizing the need to lessen dependence on imports, which might be accomplished thanks to the PLI programme for telecom manufacturing, he emphasized India’s desire to become a technology developer, telecom producer, and exporter.