BSNL Signs MoUs with Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco & Nokia for Advanced Telecom Training
- BSNL signed MoUs with Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia to provide advanced training in 5G, AI/ML, and networking at BRBRAITT, Jabalpur.
- The initiative supports the creation of the Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) to build a future-ready telecom workforce.
- These collaborations align with national missions like Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to equip youth with industry-relevant skills.
In a significant step toward creating industry-ready skilled manpower and accelerating India’s digital transformation, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four leading global technology companies: Ericsson India Pvt. Ltd., Qualcomm Technologies Inc., Cisco Systems, and Nokia Solutions and Networks India Pvt. Ltd. These collaborations will enable advanced training programs in emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), networking, and digital infrastructure at BSNL’s premier training institute, Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. This initiative forms a vital part of the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) vision to strengthen the telecom skilling ecosystem and develop a future-ready workforce.
The MoUs were signed during a ceremony in New Delhi, attended by Hon’ble Union Minister of Communications and DoNER, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Secretary (Telecom) Dr. Neeraj Mittal, senior DoT officials, BSNL leadership, and representatives from the partner companies. Minister Scindia highlighted that this collaboration marks a landmark step in building a skilled telecom workforce, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital empowerment through industry-academia partnerships aligned with the visions of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
This initiative also aligns with the Ministry of Communications’ broader plan to establish the Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT. Envisioned as an industry-led national hub, TIRTC will focus on telecom-specific research and development, product innovation, prototyping, and entrepreneurship, aiming to cultivate a pool of highly skilled R&D talent to lead India’s telecom sector into the future.
Under the MoUs, Ericsson India will set up a dedicated 5G Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT, offering hands-on 5G training to over 2,000 students annually through a mix of onsite classes and Ericsson’s global online curriculum. BSNL will provide world-class classroom infrastructure to support this initiative, creating a training environment aligned with national priorities. Qualcomm Technologies plans to establish a Qualcomm Institute focused on advanced 5G and AI training, featuring premium online content, live sessions, and internships for students, BSNL trainers, and government stakeholders. Qualcomm will sponsor training for the first 100 participants in the inaugural year, positioning BRBRAITT as a leading hub for scalable and industry-relevant digital skills.
Cisco Systems will leverage its Cisco Networking Academy Program to enhance skills in networking, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure by providing free access to its extensive online curriculum and digital tools. BSNL will coordinate implementation across nonprofit educational institutions nationwide, promoting equitable access to digital learning and creating a digitally skilled, job-ready youth workforce. Nokia Solutions and Networks India will support the creation of a 5G Centre of Excellence and an AI/ML lab at BRBRAITT, training around 300 students annually in 5G radio, core networks, and AI/ML applications. This includes a joint certification program by Nokia and BRBRAITT, supported by the Telecom Sector Skill Council, to validate trainee competencies.
Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India, emphasized that this partnership represents an investment in building a future-ready workforce capable of leading innovation in 5G, IoT, and advanced telecom technologies.
These collaborations strongly support India’s flagship missions Digital India, Skill India, Make in India, Startup India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat highlighting the DoT’s commitment to cultivating deep expertise in next-generation telecom domains and empowering India’s youth with critical future technology skills. By building a robust ecosystem for telecom training, innovation, and entrepreneurship, this initiative is set to shape a self-reliant and globally competitive digital future for the country. The Ministry of Communications also envisions creating a broad consortium of Indian and international technology stakeholders in the long term to collectively drive research, development, and skill-building in advanced telecom technologies.
As India moves towards becoming a global telecom innovation hub, BSNL’s strategic partnerships with Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia mark a pivotal step in developing the talent pipeline essential for powering the nation’s digital ambitions.
