Ericsson to begin R&D in India with new chip design unit in Bengaluru

Ericsson is expanding its research and development (R&D) operations in India with a new focus on semiconductor development. The company will establish a unit for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design in Bengaluru and plans to add over 150 engineers to support the initiative. 

This expansion marks a shift toward local development of specialised chips used in telecommunications infrastructure. ASICs are custom-designed semiconductors that improve the performance and efficiency of network equipment. Ericsson uses them across its mobile network systems, including radios, basebands, and transport equipment, the company said. 

The Bengaluru unit will be integrated into Ericsson’s global R&D structure and focus on tasks such as chip design, verification, and integration. The company already operates in India, and this move increases its investment in local technical capacity. 

The expansion also aligns with broader trends in the industry, as companies seek to localise part of their chip development and reduce dependency on global supply chains. 

Ericsson’s in-house silicon development plays a role in powering mobile networks, particularly as operators roll out 5G. The chips developed through this initiative are expected to support improvements in energy use, processing capability, and network flexibility. 

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, said: “Expanding our ASIC R&D in India will enable us to leverage the local technology competence in the country towards enhancing our capabilities in semiconductor design. This unit will also contribute towards strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem in the country. Ericsson expects to initially grow its R&D team in India by more than 150 positions.”  

Anna Dicander, Vice President of Radio & Transport Engineering, Ericsson Business Area Networks, said: "By increasing our focus on ASIC development, we are reinforcing our technological prowess. Our investments in the Ericsson Silicon platform, in particular, will accelerate the launch of new products and innovative features to the market.”