India’s devices and electronics ecosystem has been seeing rapid developments over the past few years. The sector is expected to get a further jolt once 5G kicks in. The government, on its part, has been coming out with measures and policies to provide a boost to the local manufacturing ecosystem in the electronics and telecom equipment space. This is expected to present a host of opportunities for multiple players. In an exclusive interview with tele.net, Anku Jain, MD, MediaTek India, discusses the company’s key offerings and focus areas in the country, its plans to tap the 5G market, and upcoming opportunities…
What are the key trends dominating the Indian semiconductor ecosystem?
As a country with a huge population, the Indian semiconductor ecosystem is set to boom. Post the pandemic, a huge number of people are dependent on smartphones and other smart devices when it comes to their education, work or communication. This tremendous demand offers huge scope for expansion, innovation and manufacturing of semiconductors. The pandemic greatly disrupted the established supply chains, creating opportunities for up-and-coming ecosystems such as the ones in our country. While there has been a slowdown in fab manufacturing, the government’s timely and proactive initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and the economic stimulus package, along with the National Policy on Electronics 2019, have empowered the semiconductor industry. Key trends that are now dominating the Indian semiconductor ecosystem include innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and edge computing, which are redefining the way we do things even as we wait for the greatest disruptor of all – 5G.
How is the PLI scheme expected to impact the sector? Are you currently exploring any opportunities under the scheme?
We expect that the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme will help India become independent in terms of electronics manufacturing and design, buoyed by the evolution in the semiconductor industry. The scheme could also help us reduce dependence on international supply chains, thus ensuring that we remain functional even when such chains are disrupted on a global scale. The government is also keen on creating a broad base for sourcing electronic components and raw materials, thus empowering the entire sector in a holistic manner while also enabling domestic design and manufacturing. We are happy to play our part in enabling the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of the government in every way possible.
What are MediaTek’s key focus areas in the Indian telecom domain? How has been the journey so far?
This year, MediaTek is celebrating 25 years of incorporation, and it has been an incredible journey so far. In the Indian telecom domain, our key focus is on expanding our R&D capabilities across Noida and Bengaluru, hiring significantly to maintain and enhance our market position, and creating sustainable and satisfactory associations with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across the smart devices sector. We also have plans to expand into newer categories under smart devices and are keen on changing the way people interact with their devices and the world around them, thus enhancing and enriching their lives.
What are your views on the evolving 5G landscape? What is MediaTek’s 5G road map for the Indian market?
MediaTek has been a frontrunner in the 5G space since the inception of the technology, and now, with 5G gaining momentum in India, the market is evolving rapidly and OEMs are regularly rolling out 5G-enabled smartphones and devices. We believe that the Indian ecosystem is primed for 5G and will benefit greatly from the technology. The MediaTek Dimensity 5G series is at the forefront of this evolution and is setting new benchmarks for 5G smartphones, thanks to the powerful integrated 5G technology that redefines performance, connectivity, photography, streaming, gaming and power efficiency in these devices. The 5G series of chipsets, including the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 1200, Dimensity 1000, Dimensity 900, and the recently released Dimensity 9000, Dimensity 920 and Dimensity 810, have set new benchmarks for 5G smartphones.
Going forward, what will be your growth plan for the near term?
The year 2021 has been a very fruitful year for MediaTek, in terms of expansion and building on our research capabilities. In addition, we have also entered into significant associations with OEMs, thus enhancing the scope and reach of our chips. In the near term, we aim to continue changing the way people interact with their devices and the world around them. We are also waiting for 5G to arrive, for it will open up entirely new platforms of innovation and create a historic opportunity to make the connected world smarter, safer and more equitable. We aim to continue growing steadily and sustainably in the near term, with a focus on new-age technology and optimal customer satisfaction. MediaTek always takes customer feedback into account and we are now focusing on interactive and immersive customer engagement plans to fuel demand for our chips in the Indian and global ecosystems.