In a development being described as a turning point for India’s chip ambitions, a telecom system powered entirely by domestically manufactured chips has received certification from the Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC).
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the achievement on X, calling it a big leap for India’s semiconductor story. The TEC approval, he said, proves that chips designed and made in India are now capable of powering complex telecom systems and meeting international quality benchmarks.
What the TEC nod really means
TEC certification is more than just a regulatory stamp. It is the Department of Telecommunications’ official assurance that a product meets strict performance and safety standards. For telecom gear, which forms the backbone of India’s digital economy, this is critical.
The certification essentially places the Indian-made chip on the same footing as its global counterparts, opening the door for deployment in both domestic and export markets.
Why this milestone matters
For years, India has depended heavily on imported chips to run everything from smartphones and telecom towers to cars and data centers. The TEC nod marks a step towards reducing that reliance. It also signals progress in the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals, particularly in electronics and semiconductors.
While India has yet to commission a full-scale advanced fab, it has been steadily building capability in chip design, assembly, and testing. The focus is currently on manufacturing in the 28nm to 65nm range, mature nodes, which are not cutting-edge but remain indispensable for telecom, automotive, and industrial applications.
How India is positioning itself in the global chip game
Global players are locked in an arms race to master sub-5nm chips used in AI and smartphones. India, however, is taking a different path. By focusing on mature nodes, it is targeting a supply chain gap that has been exposed during recent shortages.
Bastion Research, in a recent analysis, noted that India’s strategy is to deliver world-class integration services and scalable solutions rather than compete head-on with giants like TSMC or Samsung in bleeding-edge nodes. According to the report, India already has the talent and engineering depth to serve global demand and is moving quickly to scale.
The road ahead
The TEC certification is both symbolic and practical. It validates the quality of India’s semiconductor efforts and gives confidence to domestic telecom operators and equipment makers to adopt local solutions.
(With inputs from ANI)
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