Shilpi Cables partners with Eyecom Telecommunications

MUMBAI: Cables manufacturer Shilpi Cable Technologies (SCTL) has partnered with New Zealand headquarteredEyecom Telecommunications Equipments to make a foray into the antenna business with a view to offer end-to-end solutions to telecom operators.

"We are already present in the telecom sector through our radio Frequency (RF) wires business. But now we aim to provide complete end-to-end solutions to the operators and making a foray into the antenna business is a part of this strategy," SCTL Chief Executive Officer Manish Bhatt told PTI here today.

He said with the joint venture SCTL will become a one-stop RF path solution provider in the telecom space and introduce base station antenna (BSA) products for 2G/3G/4G and next generation roll-outs in India.

"The rollout of 4G, penetration of smart phones and growing demand for data as well as government's push on Digital India has necessitated enhancing the current telecom network. So far, we have been secondary product suppliers. But with this JV we want to emerge as a complete solution provider," he said.

SCTL plans to set up a manufacturing facility at Chopanki in Rajasthan which will have a capacity of 15,000 antennas per month. The facility would also produce other products such as repeaters and IBS passive components.

"For the entire path, nearly 150 products are required. Eyecom will transfer the technical know-how for manufacturing and carry out R&D for the future technologies relevant for the Indian market, which is currently estimated at around Rs 1,500 crore," Bhatt said, adding the company can achieve nearly 30 per cent share over the next 3 years.

With this partnership, the company expects a turnover of up to Rs 1,500 crore from the telecom business. "Our telecom business currently contributes around Rs 300 crore to total revenues. But in the next 3 years, we expect this to increase to up to Rs 1,500 crore," he said.

Commenting on the JV, Eyecom General Manager Guan QI said, "This partnership marks our entry of Eyecom in one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world."