Nokia To Set Up Its Largest R&D Lab In Chennai, Several US Companies Sign MoUs With Tamil Nadu During Stalin's Visit

Tamil Nadu signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with several US companies during Chief Minister M K Stalin's visit to San Francisco on Thursday (29 August).

The most notable is an MoU with telecom company Nokia for the expansion of its Fixed Networks research and development (R&D) operations in Chennai with an outlay of Rs 450 crore.

The new R&D lab, set to come up at SIPCOT, Siruseri, will be the largest such lab for Nokia, globally. It will generate around 100 jobs.

The lab will act as a test bed for the company's innovations in the field of 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G Passive Optical Networking (PON), Fixed Wireless Access and Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU).

"It is a matter of pride for us that the new facility, the largest fixed network lab within Nokia and probably the whole world, will be in Chennai," Tamil Nadu Industries Minister DR T R B Rajaa said.

Another MoU is signed with PayPal to establish an Advanced Development Centre in Chennai. This centre will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and employ around 1,000 people directly.

Microchip Technology is set to open a Rs 250 crore R&D centre focused on semiconductor technology in Semmancherry, Chennai, leading to 1,500 new jobs.

Infinx will launch a Technology and Global Delivery Centre at ELCOT Vadapalani in Madurai, with a Rs 50 crore investment, creating 700 jobs.

Applied Materials intends to develop an Advanced AI-Enabled Technology Development Centre for semiconductor manufacturing and equipment in Taramani, Chennai, adding 500 jobs.

Ohmium is planning a Rs 400 crore component manufacturing facility for electrolyser production and hydrogen solutions in Chengalpattu, generating 500 jobs.

GeakMinds will establish an IT and Analytics Services Centre in Chennai, which will create 500 jobs.