Rohde & Schwarz supplies test systems for India's first mobile conformance lab

Localizing these complex 33GPP and wireless certification workflows significantly reduces the time-to-market for India's export-oriented electronics manufacturing sector. By eliminating the need for offshore testing, manufacturers can iterate faster on 5G, IoT, and satellite-connected hardware. This infrastructure development supports India's push to become a global manufacturing hub, moving beyond assembly into high-value engineering and domestic IP validation. Watch for whether this reduces localized certification costs enough to trigger an uptick in specialized 5G NTN device launches from Indian startups.

The establishment of local conformance testing coincides with a period of explosive growth for India’s electronics manufacturing sector, which has transformed from a net importer to a global exporter. Per government data cited by Open Magazine in January 2026, India recorded its highest-ever electronics exports of $47 billion in 2025, with smartphones alone accounting for nearly $30 billion of that total. This expansion has been heavily supported by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has attracted cumulative investments of over ₹13,475 crore into large-scale electronics manufacturing since its launch in 2020.

Regulatory requirements within the country are also tightening, placing a higher premium on formal certification labs. In January 2025, the Department of Telecommunications launched mandatory security certification for 5G Session Management Functions (SMF), ending a voluntary period that began in 2024. This regulatory shift, combined with one of the world's fastest 5G rollouts — which reached 394 million subscriptions and 85% population coverage by the end of 2025 according to industry reports from December 2025 — has created a critical demand for integrated testing clusters where design, production, and compliance can occur in proximity.

Furthermore, Rohde & Schwarz has strategically positioned itself near these manufacturing hubs to provide lifecycle support. In April 2024, the company inaugurated a major facility in Bengaluru’s Manyata Tech Park, integrating R&D, system integration, and calibration services. This specialized infrastructure at Marquistech specifically targets emerging segments like 5G-enabled Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and on-device Generative AI, which are expected to drive the next phase of Indian connectivity. Per Indian IT ministry statements in early 2026, the electronics manufacturing industry is now worth approximately ₹13 lakh crore, and the presence of localized labs like Marquistech is regarded as essential for maintaining global standards and competitive export timelines.