 TVS ICS launches antenna plant
 TVS Interconnect Systems Limited, part of the TVS Group which offers optimised solutions to the telecom and enterprise-networking segment, recently inaugurated its manufacturing plant for cellular base station antennas for GSM/CDMA and UMTS requirements in technical collaboration with Argus Technologies, Australia, one of the leading antennae manufacturers in the world.
With technical support from the collaborator, the plant, when fully-operational in a year's time, will roll out 25,000 antennas per annum.
It is a state-of-the-art plant to manufacture the entire range of cellular base station antennas supporting the GSM, CDMA and UMTS requirements. The plant is complete with anechoic chambers and outdoor test ranges; the latter being established at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. This will facilitate carrying out the far field measurements of antennas.
 TVS ICS now will be able to address operators and equipment manufacturer's requirement of a shorter delivery time and cost reduction. An added advantage will be upgradation, repair and maintenance of existing antennas at economical rates.
Speaking on the occasion, T K Basu, president, TVS Interconnect Systems, said, "The company is already marketing RF coaxial cables, cable accessories and connectors to the present cellular operators. The unexplored area of manufacturing cellular base station antennas in India is a logical extension of the existing telecom business of the company. This venture, along with project and installation services, would position TVS Interconnect Systems Ltd as a total solution provider (TOSO) for the outdoor segment of the base station."
He added that the company would enhance its investments in this venture and achieve No. 1 status in marketing of antennas in the country within the next three years. This is India's first cellular antenna manufacturing plant.
Basu said TVS Interconnect has Initially invested Rs 7 crore and this is expected to go up to Rs 30 - 50 crore in the next three years. The advantages of this new facility are -- cost of antennae will be lower; ready stock for buyers brings down the delivery period; TVS Interconnect also looks at repair, service and warranty.
John Bonello, managing director, Argus Technologies, Australia, said the technical expertise of Argus, coupled with the marketing and manufacturing capabilities of TVS, would form a formidable combination in the Indian market and this combine will soon become numero uno in the field of antennas in the country.
R Rangaraj
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