Sridhar Babu Seeks Semiconductor Plants

Hyderabad: D Sridhar Babu, Telangana Minister of Information Technology and Industries, on Wednesday appealed to the central government to establish semiconductor advanced packaging and manufacturing plants (APMP) and assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) units in Telangana under the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

Speaking at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 in New Delhi, he highlighted the State’s robust infrastructure, the presence of global tech giants, and a thriving startup ecosystem.

During the round-table session, which included participation from State IT ministers, Sridhar Babu highlighted Telangana’s capabilities as a leading hub for semiconductor and AI development.

The Minister said: “As India moves towards over 1 billion smartphone users, 10 million electric vehicles, and 2 billion IoT devices, the demand for semiconductors will skyrocket. Telangana stands ready to lead this change, hosting global giants like NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and Broadcom, as well as dynamic startups for both local and global markets”.

In addition to semiconductor initiatives, the Minister emphasised the critical need for the completion of the T-Fiber project, which aimed to provide high-speed internet and multi-play services to 8 million households across Telangana. He urged the Centre to provide financial support, noting that the T-Fiber initiative would deliver affordable digital connectivity to millions at a nominal cost of Rs300 per month.

“This digital infrastructure is not merely about connectivity; it’s about empowering rural entrepreneurship, improving access to education and healthcare, and enhancing the overall quality of life. Achieving this will be a significant step toward realizing Telangana’s full potential and its vital contribution to India’s economic vision,” added the Minister.

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), hosted for the first time in India and the Asia-Pacific region, is a key International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference held every four years.