Pemmasani Calls for Design Driven Growth and Higher R&D in Telecom Sector

Bhubaneswar, Apr 24 (BNP): Union Minister of State for Telecommunications, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, has urged stakeholders in India’s telecom industry to move beyond cost-driven models and embrace design-led innovation as a core growth strategy.

Addressing industry representatives at a recent forum, the minister emphasized that India must strengthen its capabilities in research and development (R&D) to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global telecom landscape. He noted that while the country has made significant progress in expanding connectivity, the next phase of growth will depend on indigenous innovation and technological leadership.

Pemmasani highlighted the need for telecom companies to invest more in developing homegrown solutions, particularly in areas such as 5G, network infrastructure, and emerging digital technologies. He stressed that a shift toward design-centric approaches would not only improve product quality but also enable Indian firms to capture greater value in global markets.

The minister also pointed out that collaboration between industry, academia, and government institutions will be essential to build a strong innovation ecosystem. Encouraging startups and supporting local manufacturing were identified as key pillars in driving this transformation.

Industry experts at the event echoed the minister’s views, noting that increased R&D spending and a focus on original design could help India transition from being primarily a consumer of telecom technology to a global innovator.

The call aligns with the government’s broader vision of strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing dependence on imports in critical technology sectors.