| The facility will be set up by Nokia Siemens Networks, a 50:50 joint venture between Finnish multinational Nokia Corporation and diversified conglomerate Siemens of Germany. Top sources in Siemens said the current facility of Siemens Public Communication Networks Ltd (SPCNL) in Salt Lake would be transferred to the joint venture in January 2007. |
| The Nokia Siemens facility in Kolkata is likely to manufacture telecom infrastructure equipment, such as switches. |
| "It may also manufacture mobile phones depending on the demand and other facilities," sources said. The telecom business of Siemens has been transferred to the joint venture. |
| When contacted, a Nokia official said the global merger of Nokia's networks and Siemens' communication business is subject to necessary approval from European Union. |
| As a result of the merger, the telecom arm of Siemens, SPCNL, is likely to be merged with the joint venture. According to sources in Siemens, SPCNL currently has three facilities in the country in Kolkata, Bangalore and Gurgaon. The Kolkata facility of SPCNL is spread over 4 acre and happens to be the biggest among the three. |
| "The Gurgaon facility is a rented one. On the other hand, the Bangalore facility is smaller, so the thrust will be on the Kolkata facility," added sources. |
| However, it is understood that the final decision regarding transfer of SPCNL facility in Kolkata to Nokia Siemens Networks would be taken in January. "Unlike other SPCNL facilities, the Kolkata facility is owned by Siemens Ltd, the parent company. |
| Nokia, currently, has only one manufacturing unit in the country in Sriperumbudur near Chennai. Nokia is investing around Rs 650 crore in the Chennai plant. |
| Sources said the Nokia joint venture is likely to invest close to Rs 1,600 crore in stepping up operations in Kolkata. "The Kolkata facility will be the hub of the Nokia joint venture," added sources. SPCNL, currently, has a staff strength of more than 1,000 in Kolkata. |
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