California-based Keysight Technologies is optimistic about India’s transformative digital profile, and is working closely with the government-led initiatives for the fifth generation (5G) technology roadmap. Keysight India Country General Manager & Vice President Sudhir Tangri in an interaction with ETTelecom’s Muntazir Abbas talks on the company’s ambitious acquisition of Anite and Ixia, and 5G as well as company’s workforce. Edited excerpts.
What exactly you do in the telecom sector and also with the device manufacturers and network vendors?
We earned $3.2 billion last year. We cater to three main market sectors. One is communications, the other is aerospace-defense and third is semi-conductor industry. Now, within communication segment it is primarily the wireless space we operate in, catering to the entire chain in the wireless space starting from semiconductor vendors to the chipset vendors. We also work with the network equipment vendors and the device vendors.
Tell us about your acquisitions of Anite and Ixia. How are these firms contributing to your business?
In the last eighteen months we acquired, two organizations, one was Anite and the other is Ixia. Now, both of these organizations along with Keysight allow us to provide solutions from layer 1 all the way to layer 7. Because classically, Keysight has only been supporting layer 1 or the physical layer-testing representation and evaluation. With combination of Keysight, Anite and Ixia products, we are there to provide solutions to all our customers in the entire chain from layer 1 to 7. So that completes our entire portfolio in the telecom space. Lately, as you know, there is a lot of development happening in 5G. So, Keysight has taken the leadership position in the 5G space.
How much communication part contributes to your overall revenue?
Communication is roughly the 1/3rd of the total business revenue. Now, it may have increased to a bit about 40% due to the combination of Ixia and Anite’s revenues. Since, Ixia is primarily in the network visibility space, this is also the part of telecom.
What is your workforce strength in India?
In India, we have about 1200 employees, and these 1200 employees are based in multiple cities of India. There are 700 people in the R&D center in Manesar. Then by virtue of Ixia, we have another R&D hub in Kolkata with around 200 people. We have another R&D location in Bangalore. Then we have sales offices in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad. And that’s the entire footprint of Keysight in India.
Coming back to 5G, do you think India will be able to launch 5G by 2020?
I would really hope that it happens by the time frame that you are suggesting. As you might know that the majority of work in 5G has been happening in R&D or the academia domain, where we are working with almost all IITs. That is where we are helping the IITs to develop 5G testbeds. Incidentally, we are the first ones to purchase a test bench for 5G from IIT Chennai.
How big is this deal?
That is not for the public information but I can tell you that it is a significant order. We are setting up the framework for the 5G in the millimeter range technology. It is providing test solutions for academia and research-oriented fraternities to establish test bench for a millimeter range technology. And that is the fundamental component of developing a 5G system.
Have you started working together with network vendors for 5G in India?
We are not only engaged with academia but also with the leading semiconductor and network equipment vendors worldwide. In today’s world, if a global company is doing something using Keysight test solutions, in all probability we will also be the leaders when it will come to Indian test solutions. In February, we had the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where at the Qualcomm booth, they were using Keysight test solutions. At Samsung’s booth, also they had used our 5G solutions. And I am confident when organizations will look for launching 5G in India, due to our leadership position in the world, they will definitely seek us.
How big of a revenue opportunity do you see in the next 5 years in 5G?
The opportunity, of course, is quite huge. It is quite difficult to put my hands around it. But overall, I can say that the opportunity is huge because 5G consumers will be using a completely different technology. There will be a lot of investment, stakeholders have to make at least from a testing stand point.
What spectrum bands you can see that will drive 5G?
Both in sub-6 and in millimeter wave, these technologies are being adopted by operators very effectively worldwide.
How feasible is the device ecosystem?
The device ecosystem is developing. I think it will be a couple more of quarters before we can effectively answer that question. Right now, there are investments happening both for sub-6 and millimeter wavelength.
Source: Economic Times