India’s 5G boom fuels Prose technologies regional expansion strategy

Germany-based telecom gear manufacturer Prose Technologies is making a significant push in India as it eyes 15-20 percent growth in 2026, driven by the country’s accelerating 5G rollout and the rising need for network densification. The company’s expansion strategy underscores India’s growing importance as a global hub for telecom manufacturing, services, and innovation.

At the India Mobile Congress 2025, Arshad Fakhri, President for the India region at Prose Technologies, outlined the company’s bullish outlook on the Indian market. He noted that while telecom investment globally had slowed due to expenditure cuts, India’s telecom operators are preparing for the next phase of 5G deployment, which involves upgrading existing infrastructure and increasing the density of base stations and antennas.

“There has been muted growth in the industry due to telecom operators worldwide cutting on the expense, but we see a huge pent-up demand for network densification next year,” Fakhri said. He added that a leading Indian operator is set to place a large-scale order for base stations in 2026, and other operators are following with similar plans, suggesting a strong investment cycle ahead.

From a business standpoint, this marks a turning point for Prose Technologies. The company, which primarily supplies telecom antennas and radio equipment to operators and global gear makers, is aligning its strategy with India’s expanding digital infrastructure. With telecom providers aiming to extend 5G services beyond metros into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the demand for network equipment, operations management, and maintenance services is expected to soar.

Prose Technologies has already established a manufacturing facility in Pune, which serves as a key production and export base. The company now plans to scale this operation further, using India as a strategic hub for regional exports to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This aligns with India’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, as multinational firms increasingly localize production to serve both domestic and international markets efficiently.

Fakhri highlighted that the company’s newly formed services division which focuses on network maintenance, infrastructure optimization, and field operations has become one of its fastest-growing verticals. “Our services division has shown robust growth of more than 20 per cent year-over-year, and we expect a similar performance next year,” he said. This expansion not only enhances Prose’s revenue mix but also positions the company as a full-spectrum player in the telecom ecosystem, combining product manufacturing with managed services.

To support this growing demand, Prose Technologies plans to expand its workforce in India from the current 2,000 employees to 2,500 by March 2027. Most new roles will be added in the services division, which handles network deployment, testing, and ongoing management. This move is expected to boost employment opportunities in engineering, telecom operations, logistics, and manufacturing support key areas aligned with India’s skill development and industrial growth goals.

For India, the company’s expansion brings both economic and strategic advantages. The increased local production will help reduce import dependence on telecom hardware, strengthen domestic value chains, and enhance India’s export competitiveness in telecom equipment. Additionally, Prose’s decision to cater to neighboring markets from its Indian base positions the country as a regional telecom supply and service hub, attracting ancillary industries such as logistics, testing, and component manufacturing.

From a broader perspective, Prose Technologies’ move mirrors a global shift in telecom manufacturing toward India, as international firms seek to diversify supply chains and leverage India’s cost advantages, skilled workforce, and policy incentives. With 5G infrastructure spending expected to intensify over the next three years, India stands to gain through foreign investment inflows, technology transfer, and high-value employment creation.

The expansion also reinforces confidence in India’s digital economy trajectory. As telecom operators move into the densification phase deploying smaller base stations, expanding fiber connectivity, and integrating AI-driven network management the demand for high-quality equipment and on-ground expertise is expected to rise sharply. Companies like Prose Technologies are strategically positioning themselves to capture this demand while simultaneously contributing to India’s transformation into a global telecom manufacturing powerhouse.

In essence, Prose Technologies’ growth plans highlight a win-win equation: India gains in manufacturing capability, employment, and exports, while Prose strengthens its foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing telecom markets, paving the way for long-term, sustainable growth.