Nokia sets up its new R&D lab in Chennai

Nokia announced the expansion of its Fixed Networks R&D facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. With the support of the Tamil Nadu government, the new R&D lab will be one of the largest globally for Nokia and the largest for its Fixed Networks business. This expansion underpins Nokia’s commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies that help connect the unconnected and reduce the digital divide.

As a key hub for Fixed Networks, this investment will further strengthen Nokia’s technology innovations in 10G, 25G, 50G and 100G PON, Fixed Wireless Access, Wi-Fi and MDU solutions, as well as access network and home controllers.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has been key to facilitating this expansion and will provide Nokia with essential infrastructure, regulatory and policy support in line with current policies. This collaboration reinforces Chennai’s strategic importance in Nokia’s global operations and underscores the region's increasing prominence as a center for technological innovation.

To formalize the expansion of the Nokia R&D lab in Chennai, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently exchanged between Guidance Tamil Nadu and Nokia in the presence of Thiru. M. K. Stalin, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and Dr. T. R. B Rajaa, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu in San Francisco, California, USA.

Dr. TRB Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Today, Tamil Nadu has evolved into a global destination of choice for R&D and technology services. Nokia has been a long-standing partner in Tamil Nadu’s growth story, and it is a matter of pride for us that the new facility, the largest fixed network lab within Nokia and probably the whole world, will be in Chennai. This is a result of path-breaking initiatives of the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. MK Stalin, like Naan Mudhalvan and the Tamil Nadu R&D Policy 2022, which have also led to unprecedented investments. It is our endeavour to sustain this momentum and generate high-value employment opportunities for our youth.”

Vimalkumar Kothandaraman, Head of Fixed Networks for Asia Pacific at Nokia, said, “Our R&D footprint in Chennai is critical to our Fixed Networks strategy. This investment highlights our dedication to India and global technology advancements and allows us to further leverage the abundant talent pool in the region. This MoU solidifies our collaboration with the Tamil Nadu government to jointly drive telecom industry innovations, expanding our world-class R&D hub in Chennai.”