R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MARCH 14
Union Minister for Information and Technology Ashwinikumar Vaishnaw on Thursday, inaugurated American semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm’s new design centre in Chennai in the presence of the company’s President and CEO Cristiano R Amon.
The US-headquartered multinational corporation, Qualcomm, is famed for designing and manufacturing semiconductors and wireless telecommunications products.
- Vaishnaw launches the Qualcomm 6G University Research India Program, at the Ramanujan IT City, Taramani, Chennai
- Qualcomm Inc is open to buying semiconductor chips from India whenever they are available: Cristiano Amon, President and CEO
- Amon’s recent meeting with Adani group chairman Gautam Adani had created a lot of buzz
PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision is to develop complete semiconductor ecosystem.
Today one more building block – Qualcomm semiconductor design center inaugurated in Chennai.
Thankyou Mr. @cristianoamon and special thanks for showing up in Indian traditional attire. pic.twitter.com/EccbOmLrIX— Ashwini Vaishnaw (मोदी का परिवार) (@AshwiniVaishnaw) March 14, 2024
“PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision is to develop complete semiconductor ecosystem. Today one more building block – Qualcomm semiconductor design center inaugurated in Chennai. Thankyou Mr. @cristianoamon and special thanks for showing up in Indian traditional attire,” the minister posted on X.
Vaishnaw also announced the launch of the Qualcomm 6G University Research India Program, at the Ramanujan IT City, Taramani, Chennai, which will allow 17 professors from Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Science to research 6G technologies with a grant of $1.02 million. “We will lead the world in 6G,” he added.
Great meeting with Qualcomm CEO @cristianoamon & his leaders! Inspiring to hear his vision for semiconductors, AI, mobility, edge appliances and much more across different markets. Exciting to hear about his plans and commitment to India's potential! pic.twitter.com/g20X6iHhDU
— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) March 11, 2024
These initiatives mark a crucial step forward in Qualcomm’s journey of innovation also strengthening its presence in India. This expansion entails an investment of Rs 177.27 crore.
Talking about the semiconductor production in India, Vaishnaw pointed out that all the three semiconductor chips in the Qualcomm board will be designed now end to end in the newly inaugurated Chennai Design Center and thus meeting the Prime Minister’s vision of creating entire value chain of semi-conductor in India starting from design, fabrication and ATMP (Assembling, Testing, Marking and Packaging) and encompassing further all three layers of semiconductor ecosystem, i.e., talent pool, gases and chemicals and semiconductor equipment.
India is set to become a prominent semiconductor manufacturing hub. The three facilities will drive economic growth and foster innovation.https://t.co/4c9zV3G9HL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2024
The Minister also said that the with foundation stone laying for three projects of semiconductor by the Prime Minister on Wednesday, the country will have capability in all fields — design, fabrication and ATMP (Modified Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging).
“We have programmed with 104 universities spread across the nation where the latest design tools are made available to the students, to learn, experiment and try out new ideas,” the Minister noted.
Qualcomm’s new design centre in Chennai will employ 1,600 engineers and specialise in wireless connectivity solutions, Amon said. It will also contribute to Qualcomm’s global research and development efforts on 5G cellular technology.
We are open to buying semiconductor chips from India whenever they are available, Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon added.
Amon said he was excited about India’s digital transformation and proud to partner with the Indian government across sectors. He also said the company was partnering with many Indian companies – spanning the telecom, automobiles, industrial electronics and semiconductor industries – to research evolving technologies. Earlier, India’s talent and R&D capabilities attracted Qualcomm, but now the country is also attractive as a market, he added. India, he said, was home to Qualcomm’s largest R&D centre outside San Diego.
Amon’s recent meeting with Adani group chairman Gautam Adani had created a lot of buzz. The Qualcomm CEO said they discussed industrial electronics, artificial intelligence, the evolution of 5G and broadband, and semiconductors. “I am very bullish about a partnership (with Adani),” he added.
