Under the leadership of Vivek Gupta, Director of Panembra Tech, the company has emerged as a trailblazer in India’s telecom manufacturing landscape — redefining efficiency, security, and self-reliance through technology integration and vertical manufacturing excellence. With a sharp focus on semiconductor localization, smart card innovation, and data-driven customization, Panembra has not only aligned India’s SIM card pricing with global benchmarks but also generated industry-wide cost savings exceeding ₹1,650 crores annually.
From mastering the entire semiconductor supply chain to pioneering the adoption of eSIM and IoT-ready solutions, Panembra Tech is driving India’s “Make in India” vision forward — positioning itself as a cornerstone in the country’s journey toward a secure, connected, and globally competitive telecom ecosystem.
1) How is Panembra Tech driving innovation in the telecom sector through advanced technology integration and manufacturing excellence?
Panembra’s innovation edge in the smart card industry is built on three pillars that create a tightly integrated and highly secure manufacturing process.
I) Vertical Integration of the Semiconductor Supply Chain
Panembra manages its semiconductor supply chain from start to finish. By overseeing the entire process—from wafer sourcing to end-user packaging—the company ensures a consistent standard of quality and security. This level of control reduces dependencies on external suppliers, allowing Panembra to maintain strict oversight and respond quickly to any issues, unlike competitors who may rely on a fragmented supply chain.
II) Software and Data Expertise
This is a key differentiator. Panembra’s in-house expertise in developing the smart card’s operating system (OS), profile development, and data generation gives it direct control over the card’s core functionality. This allows the company to move beyond off-the-shelf solutions and offer bespoke, customizable products that precisely meet a client’s specific security and functional needs.
III) Strategic Hardware Investments
Panembra supports its software-centric model with a robust hardware infrastructure. The company’s recent upgrades to its servers and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) are crucial for delivering on its promises. The upgraded servers handle complex data processing with greater speed and efficiency, while the new HSMs provide a higher level of cryptographic security, protecting sensitive data during the personalization process.
By combining its control over the supply chain, unique software capabilities, and a high-performance hardware infrastructure, Panembra delivers a superior product. This integrated approach allows the company to produce best-in-class, secure, and customized smart card solutions that truly set it apart from the competition.
2) What key contributions has Panembra made toward enhancing the competitiveness and cost efficiency of India’s telecom manufacturing ecosystem?
Panembra has significantly enhanced the competitiveness and cost structure of the Indian SIM manufacturing ecosystem, and we estimate that the SIM card procurement cost savings achieved by our customers has been very significant.
During 2022 the cost of a finished consumer SIM card was in the range of INR 40 – 50 per card. This translated in approx. US$ 0.52 cents a card which was far above the international cost for SIM cards. There is no doubt that the Indian telecom companies were being charged higher prices.
Due to our competitive efforts, we have successfully brought the average price per SIM card into the INR 12 range (US$ 0.14). With an annual consumption of 500+ million SIM cards that is an industry saving of 1,650+ crores per year.
3) With the evolving market landscape, do you believe India’s telecom component and SIM card pricing is now comparable with global benchmarks?
Yes, due to our efforts we believe that we have aligned the pricing in India to the global average. We will go a step further and state that pricing in India is lower than the global average which is why we are now expanding internationally.
It is common knowledge that the most economical SIM card supplied in the market is by Panembra and we are working with many telecom operators to optimize their SIM procurement costs.
We have operators still procuring SIM cards at far above the prevailing market prices, we are working with them to achieve cost reductions of above 50% in their SIM procurement costs.
4) What are the emerging technology trends in the semiconductor and smart card domain that Panembra is gearing up to adopt?
Panembra is preparing to adopt several key technologies in the semiconductor and smart card ecosystem.
5G and IoT Integration
Panembra is setting the stage for future-ready innovations in 5G, IoT, and machine-to-machine communication. We plan to move beyond traditional SIM cards and prepare for a more connected world.
We are developing smart cards and embedded secure elements that are optimized for the high-speed, low-latency requirements of 5G networks and the massive scale of the Internet of Things. This includes:
- IoT SIM cards: Secure, robust SIMs designed for industrial sensors, smart home devices, and connected vehicles.
- eSIM/iSIM technology: Moving from physical SIM cards to integrated, software-based solutions that are more flexible and better suited for a wide range of IoT devices.
Localization and Supply Chain Control
As a key player in India’s “Make in India” initiative, Panembra is focused on localizing the entire manufacturing process. The company is investing in indigenous semiconductor and smart card manufacturing to:
- Reduce Geopolitical Risk: By developing and producing critical components locally, Panembra helps India reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers and protect its digital infrastructure from global supply chain disruptions.
- Foster a Local Ecosystem: This localization effort creates a new ecosystem of innovation, fostering high-skilled jobs and reducing costs for local telecom operators.
In summary, Panembra’s next big steps are not just about technology but also about strategic positioning. We are moving towards a more secure, connected, and domestically controlled ecosystem by leveraging our core competencies in smartcard and semiconductor manufacturing to support the next generation of digital infrastructure.
5) What factors distinguish Panembra Tech from other players in the telecom and semiconductor manufacturing segment?
Panembra’s unique differentiator is its fully vertically integrated manufacturing ecosystem. We control the entire process, from semiconductor wafers to the finished SIM card, combining this with our expertise in software, data, and hardware management to create a distinct market advantage.
6) How does Panembra envision its role in advancing India’s self-reliance in semiconductor and smart card manufacturing under the Make in India initiative?
Panembra is at the forefront of India’s journey toward self-reliance in semiconductors and smart cards. We are the first Indian-owned company to source semiconductor wafers directly from foundries.
We are also in the final stages of establishing our own wafer-to-module packaging unit in India. When operational, this will be one of India’s first OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) lines for smart card manufacturing.
Our strategy is to continuously adapt to both our customers’ needs and the priorities of the Indian government.
