Nokia Strengthens Global Telecom Innovation with World’s Largest Fixed Network R&D Centre in Chennai

₹270 crore investment strengthens Tamil Nadu’s position as a global telecom innovation powerhouse

Global telecom leader Nokia has unveiled its largest research and development facility for fixed networks in Chennai, marking a major milestone for India’s telecom ecosystem. Located at SIPCOT Siruseri in Tamil Nadu, the new centre underlines Nokia’s growing commitment to India as a hub for advanced telecom innovation and engineering.

The facility, launched on February 6, will serve as a global testing and innovation centre for next-generation fixed network technologies. Engineers at the site will work on high-speed optical networks such as 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G, along with fixed wireless access and other cutting-edge broadband solutions that are expected to shape the future of global connectivity.

The expansion follows a memorandum of understanding signed between Nokia and the Tamil Nadu government during Chief Minister M K Stalin’s visit to the United States in August 2024. What began as a planned ₹220 crore investment has now grown to ₹270 crore in its first phase, with a second phase expected to attract an additional ₹300 crore.

Announcing the development, Tamil Nadu Industries Minister TRB Rajaa said the new centre reflects the state’s growing influence in the global telecom landscape. “Dear Tamil Nadu, say hello to Nokia’s world’s largest R&D facility for fixed networks,” he said, noting that the project will create more than 200 high-skilled jobs.

With this expansion, Nokia’s Siruseri campus becomes the company’s largest fixed network R&D lab worldwide. The move not only strengthens Nokia’s global telecom capabilities but also positions Tamil Nadu as a preferred destination for deep-tech research, innovation, and next-generation network development.