CII Roundtable on Global Adoption of 5G in Manufacturing Sparks New Era of Innovation

Gurugram, October 18, 2024: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) successfully hosted a Round Table discussion on the global adoption of 5G in the manufacturing industry today in Gurugram. The event witnessed participation from thought leaders, industry experts, and government officials who discussed the role of 5G in shaping the future of industrial sectors worldwide, with a special focus on India’s position as a global manufacturing hub.
 
The Round Table featured a Special Address by the Chief Guest, Gaurav Joshi, Deputy Secretary – Manufacturing Sector, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. Mr. Joshi highlighted how industries around the world are harnessing the potential of 5G to boost productivity, enable smart manufacturing, and enhance sustainability. He emphasized that with India's rapid adoption of 5G, the nation is poised to accelerate its journey towards becoming a digitally empowered and globally competitive manufacturing powerhouse.
 
Dr. Rishi Bhatnagar, Member of the CII Regional Committee (NR) on Digital Transformation and President of Globesecure Technologies Ltd., delivered the Welcome Address and Opening Remarks. He underscored India’s vision for becoming a "Viksit" (developed) and "Atmanirbhar" (self-reliant) nation, stressing the importance of a reliable 5G network in achieving this goal. He applauded India's progress from pilot projects to full-scale 5G rollouts, particularly in industries such as automotive and electronics, signaling that India is on track to lead and support the digital journeys of other countries in the global south.
 
The event also featured key addresses from international leaders in the 5G space. Niels Koenig, Board Member of 5G-ACIA and Head of Production Metrology Department at Fraunhofer IPT, highlighted the crucial role of industrial wireless connectivity and 5G in enabling digital transformation and Industry 4.0. He emphasized how 5G is shaping the future of automation, efficiency, and connectivity across industries globally.
 
Jagadeesh Dantuluri, 5G-ACIA Board Member and General Manager of Nemo Wireless Solutions at Keysight, discussed the tremendous benefits that the Indian manufacturing sector stands to gain through the adoption of 5G technologies. He expressed enthusiasm for 5G-ACIA’s continued collaboration with Indian industries, sharing best practices and the latest methodologies.

Building on this, Nadine Petermann, Head of the 5G-ACIA Office, advocated for a long-term partnership between 5G-ACIA and key stakeholders in India. She spoke about the importance of co-creating cutting-edge solutions through shared expertise and resources, which would help accelerate 5G adoption in the industrial sector, fostering growth and setting global benchmarks for innovation in Industry 4.0.
 

Offering India’s perspective, Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director – India at Rockwell Automation, noted the timeliness of the Round Table. He emphasized that innovation and transformation through technologies like 5G will be critical as India positions itself for breakout growth in manufacturing. Mr. Sawhney underscored the role of partnerships, such as that with 5G-ACIA, in achieving this vision.
 
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Monika Gupta, Global Connectivity, 5G & Edge Lead for Industries & Alliances at Capgemini and Advisor to the Government of India. She highlighted the importance of unlocking the potential of industrial wireless connectivity and 5G to drive digital transformation and innovation in India's manufacturing sector, aligning with the country’s "Make in India" initiative and its aspirations to become a global manufacturing leader.
 
The CII Round Table provided a platform for valuable discussions on the transformative potential of 5G in the global manufacturing sector, reaffirming India's commitment to leading the way in this digital revolution.