Ericsson, India’s VVDN tie up to localize antenna production

Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson has partnered with VVDN Technologies to localize passive antenna production in India by June.

A passive antenna, which operates without the need for external power or built-in electronic amplifiers, is part of Ericsson Antenna System (EAS), a solution designed to enhance network performance.

EAS comprises active antennas, passive antennas, filters, and accessories

The initiative will support India’s rapid 5G rollout and bolster Ericsson’s ability to respond more aggressively to evolving market needs regionally and globally, a statement said.

The move adds India to Ericsson’s global manufacturing footprint—which already includes facilities in Mexico, Romania, and China.

The strategic investment will enable the company to accelerate time to market, engage in deeper collaboration with local partners, and allow greater adaptability to customer needs, aligning with the broader vision of India’s digital transformation, Ericsson said in the statement.

Last December, Ericsson won a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar extension deal from Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel Ltd for 4G and 5G radio access network (RAN) products and solutions; similarly, Vodafone Idea Ltd (Vi) entered into a deal in September with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung.

“At Ericsson, antennas are critical, serving as the entry point to enhanced network performance and innovation,” said Mikael Eriksson, head of EAS. “Expanding in India strengthens our ability to deliver cutting-edge technology at speed, closer to where our customers are building next-generation networks.”

“This expansion reflects our commitment and long-term investment in India’s industrial and digital future,” Nitin Bansal, managing director at Ericsson India said. “By localizing production and building out a robust ecosystem, Ericsson is ensuring faster deployment, increased responsiveness, and stronger protection for its customers against environmental or external disruptions.”

Beyond meeting India’s domestic needs, a significant portion of antennas manufactured in India will be exported.

Ericsson has been in India for more than 120 years, starting in 1903, with the delivery of manual switches to the Indian government.

In 1994, Ericsson became the first telecom company to manufacture in India.

As a leader in 5G, Ericsson has been working closely with Indian service providers to deploy high-performing networks.

Since 2015, the company has delivered the Ericsson Radio System to prepare networks for 5G and showcased some of India’s first 5G use cases, including a live 5G-enabled music concert.

Ericsson teams fully manage the expansion of EAS production in India.

VVDN Technologies is a global provider of software, product engineering, and electronics manufacturing services.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered at Global Innovation Park in Manesar, Gurugram, VVDN, which stands for Voice, Video, Data, Network, has its North American headquarters in Fremont, California.