The telecom push: Scaling beyond assembly to advanced deep technology

The report highlights how artificial intelligence and telecom infrastructure are converging into a single ecosystem

India’s telecom sector is moving beyond adding coverage and capacity to confront a challenge: Domestic technology ownership. A report by KPMG warns that while the country has proven its ability to scale assembly, critical deep-tech layers remain more than 70 per cent import-dependent. The report highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) and telecom infrastructure are converging into a single ecosystem. It outlines a roadmap for India to advance across the “Telecom Intelligence Stack” — moving from an assembly hub into high-margin design, semiconductor manufacturing, radio access systems, and intellectual property.