Array Networks is bidding for more smart city projects countrywide, and working with front-runner partners.
The US-based Array Networks has bagged the Agra smart city project to supply networking hardware solutions and would work in a consortium with state-run Bharat Electronics Limited and IL&FS for the historical city’s surveillance.
In September 2016, Agra has been selected for the smart city with Rs 2,133 crore makeover spend. Michael Zhao, Array Networks global chief executive informed Economic Times that adding that the company is bidding for more smart city projects countrywide, and working with front-runner partners.
The company, however, has entered into an alliance with the two— BEL and IL&FS for the Master System Integrator (MSS) deployment for Integrated Control System (ICCC), for a total of Rs 282.65 crore worth of initiative. Array’s pie is estimated to be close to $5 lakh (Rs 3.5 crore).
A strong India presence
Array intends to work with telecom service providers in the country, and already has a partnership with Mumbai-based Reliance Jio Infocomm.
Zhao said that India’s business contributes to nearly 20 per cent to the firm’s overall business, and is also looking to increase the country’s headcount by fivefold largely in the research and development (R&D) domain.
Array Networks has been majorly banking on the Narendra Modi government-led ambitious smart city initiative in addition to telco business in the country and has recently invested $2 million (Rs 14 crore) for setting up an Array Centre for Technology and Innovation (ACTI) in Bengaluru.
The new centre would enable Array Networks to create custom-made solutions for Indian enterprise customers as well as to launch newer products in a shorter time span.
The US-based company has been currently involved in various stages of implementation of as many as 10 smart city projects across the country and expects to double the number this year with new wins.
