<h1>State telecom launches indigenous 4G stack, country becomes fifth global telecom equipment manufacturer, aiming to expand connectivity to remote areas</h1> The communications minister announced that with the launch of a state-owned telecom operator's indigenous 4G stack, the country has become the fifth nation globally to manufacture telecom equipment, joining Denmark, Sweden, China and South Korea. The government framed the development as shifting the national profile from services and consumption toward production, innovation, entrepreneurship and exports, and as aligned with the prime minister's stated 'innovate for' agenda. Officials said the rollout aims to extend 4G connectivity to remote, border, island and low-coverage areas.