Panel presentation in the open panel “How can the study of dependency theory enhance digital sovereignty?” at 4S, the annual meeting of the Society for the Social Studies of Science, Toronto 2026.

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The presentation offers an analysis of “indigenous 5G networks” in India as an example of non-aligned technological trajectories, understood on a longer timeline extending to the New World Information and Communication Order, the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation, and other examples of anti-imperialist industrial policy. The results are based on critical supply chain analysis and infrastructure ethnography of the standardisation, implementation and deployment of domestically produced 5G in the context of ongoing field work. The interpretations are supported by archival research on technology transfer in the non-aligned movement.

“Indigenous 5G networks” in India were proposed as a transformation of supply chains and knowledge networks driving unequal exchange, geopolitical alignments and technology transfer. In particular, the industrial policy, research and innovation enacted to realise indigenous 5G networks downscales supply chains to match sovereign territories. The motivation behind downscaling supply chains is to steer clear of geopolitical rivalries. The digital infrastructural dominance of the great powers shows in that currently, the leading telecommunications suppliers are Ericsson and Nokia in the West, as well as Huawei and ZTE in the East, representing distinct challenges to India’s technological sovereignty. A non-aligned technological trajectory breaks India’s dependency on core economies in the domain of telecommunications, and allows subsequent reintegration into the international division of labour as a developmental supplier for the periphery.

https://www.xcdsystem.com/4sonline/program/342Jv8n/index.cfm?pgid=571