CommScope engages in discussions with BSNL, identifying India as a rapidly expanding market

CommScope is currently engaged in discussions with BSNL, exploring opportunities in the rapidly expanding Indian market. In response to inquiries about potential obstacles to securing business from BSNL, the executive underscored the competitive landscape, recognizing BSNL's authority to select vendors.

CommScope highlights growth in its India business, attributed to the 5G rollouts by major players like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, coupled with extensive fiber deployments. The company is actively pursuing opportunities with BSNL, acknowledging the state-run telecom giant's significance in the Indian market.

Femi Oshiga, VP of Service Providers, MEA & APAC at CommScope, emphasized the company's essential role in providing cables, antennas, filters, and switches to Indian telcos. Despite intense competition, CommScope remains a key supplier to operators involved in the ongoing 5G rollouts.

"We are making substantial efforts to collaborate with BSNL," Oshiga mentioned, expressing optimism about potential cooperation. The executive reiterated that progress hinges on decisions made by BSNL.

Reflecting on the Indian telecom market, Oshiga acknowledged its challenges but maintained an optimistic outlook. Financial reports indicate positive revenue growth, even for troubled operators like Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL).

While CommScope does not provide specific country-wise data, it benefits from India's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom equipment manufacturing. Oshiga emphasized the scheme's advantages, leveraging CommScope's manufacturing presence in India.

Regarding investment and hiring plans, specific details weren't disclosed. However, Oshiga highlighted CommScope's commitment to R&D, with annual spending of $650–700 million. He noted that a significant number of R&D employees are based in India across eight locations.

Oshiga emphasized that the initial 5G deployment phase is just the beginning. He noted the increasing traffic on 4G as 5G grows, presenting ongoing opportunities for expansion and modernization.

CommScope, benefiting from India's Rs 12,195-crore Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom equipment manufacturing, mentioned receiving approvals for some domestically manufactured products.

"As we introduce more products, they will also qualify under PLI, proving advantageous due to our Indian manufacturing presence," Oshiga stated, although he declined to comment on whether the company has claimed any incentives. CommScope's Indian unit operates a combined manufacturing facility and research & development center in Goa.

The executive also refrained from commenting on specific investment and hiring plans for the Indian market but highlighted CommScope's annual R&D spending of $650–700 million, with many R&D employees based in India across eight locations.

"We will explore areas where we can align our products and evolve them for 6G," Oshiga concluded.