BSNL Partners with Global Tech Giants to Launch AI and 5G Training Hub in India

BSNL Ties Up With Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, Nokia to Train 2,000 Students in AI and 5G in Jabalpur | AIM

To establish Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BSNL's telecom training centre at Jabalpur, driving telecom R&D, innovation, and future-ready workforce development. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed a strategic MoU with four global technology leaders: Ericsson India, Qualcomm, Cisco Systems, and Nokia to accelerate the country's digital transformation. The move also aims at strengthening the skilling ecosystem. According to the release, the partnership will roll out advance training initiatives in 5G, AI/ML, networking, and digital technologies at BSNL's apex training institute, Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. The development is seen as a step towards a broader plan by the telecommunications department under the communications ministry to establish a Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT. Envisioned as an industry-led national hub, TI

Nokia to expand research and development centre in India

Nokia plans to expand its R&D center in India, hiring locally and committing to skilling initiatives. BSNL partnered with Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, and Qualcomm to provide advanced training in 5G and related technologies at BRBRAITT. This collaboration aims to create a job-ready workforce, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and fostering innovation in the telecom sector. Telecom gear maker Nokia is planning to expand its research and development centre in India by hiring more people locally, a top company official said on Monday. Nokia India Country Manager Tarun Chhabra said at a government event that the company has been committed for 30 years and is determined to play a very important role in skilling people locally and then hiring them. "We are going to hire more people in our R&D centre. Other than R&D centre of about 8,000 people, we have around 4,000 people who are supporting all global service operations from India. It means there is a huge opportunity," he said at a BSNL event. "When I talk to telecom operators around the world, they talk about cyber security as the most important thing now. I would say we are committed for 30 years, and we further commit that we are going to play a very important role in skilling the Indian people here, and then hiring them in our R&D centers in the future," Chhabra said. The state-run telecom firm at the event signed an MoU with foreign telecom gear makers Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, and Qualcomm for rolling out advanced training on 5G, artificial intelligence, machine learning, networking, and digital technologies at BSNL's apex training institute, Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia called it an important step in line with the Prime Minister's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, local to global. "Prime Minister's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, all of that has been encapsulated in an institution that has been named after Bharat Ratna Bimrao Ambedkarji's Telecom Centre of Excellence and Training based in Jabalpur. Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia and Cisco, the four most important equipment suppliers for the telecom revolution across the world, have now from today started training courses in BRBBAIT Centre in Jabalpur," Scindia said. He said the agreement is just a seed that has been sown and expects to take it to a much higher level in the days to come. "It is the beginning of a new journey where our human resource potential in India will be not only trained, but hopefully through this training will become part of the international value chain process and in the days to come, pioneer India to move from the services sector to the product sector in the telecom revolution," Scindia said. As part of this initiative, Nokia will train 300 students annually in 5G radio, core networks, and AI/ML applications and Ericsson will provide hands-on 5G training as well as online learning modules under the Ericsson Educate Program to over 2,000 students annually. "This collaboration is an investment in building a future-ready workforce to lead innovation in 5G, IoT, and advanced telecom technologies," Ericsson India Managing Director Nitin Bansal said. Qualcomm Technologies has signed a pact to set up a Qualcomm Institute at BRBRAITT, focusing on advanced 5G and AI training for students, BSNL trainers, and government stakeholders. Under the pact, Cisco will provide free access to online curriculum and digital tools, while BSNL will coordinate implementation across non-profit educational institutions nationwide -- promoting equitable access to digital learning. The collaboration seeks to create a digitally enabled, job-ready youth workforce.

BSNL Partners with Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia for 5G and AI Training Hub in Jabalpur

Jabalpur's BRBRAITT to host new Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Ericsson India, Qualcomm Technologies, Cisco Systems, and Nokia Solutions and Networks India to accelerate India's digital transformation and strengthen the telecom skilling ecosystem. The agreements were formalised at a ceremony in the capital on August 11, 2025, in the presence of Union Minister for Communications and DoNER Jyotiraditya M Scindia, senior government officials, BSNL leadership, and representatives of the partner companies. The initiative will be anchored at BSNL's apex training institute, the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. It forms part of the Department of Telecommunications' plan to establish a Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at the institute, envisaged as an industry-led national hub for telecom R&D, skill development, and entrepreneurship. "Aimed at accelerating India's digital transformation and strengthening the skilling ecosystem, these partnerships will roll out advance training initiatives in 5G, AI/ML, networking, and digital technologies at BSNL's apex training institute," the Ministry of Communications said. As part of the collaboration, Ericsson will set up a 5G Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT, offering hands-on training and online learning modules under its Ericsson Educate Programme to over 2,000 students annually. According to the official release, the students undergoing the 5G Onsite training will benefit from the classroom infrastructure being provided by BSNL. "Students undergoing the online training part of the Ericsson Educate program will benefit from Ericsson's global curriculum, trainers, and lab facilities -- creating a world-class learning environment aligned with national priorities." Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, said: "This collaboration is an investment in building a future-ready workforce to lead innovation in 5G, IoT, and advanced telecom technologies." Qualcomm will establish a Qualcomm Institute focusing on advanced 5G and AI training for students, BSNL trainers, and government stakeholders. The programme will include premium online content, live sessions, and internships. Qualcomm will sponsor training for the first 100 participants in the inaugural year. Cisco will leverage its Cisco Networking Academy Program to enhance skills in networking, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure. Cisco will provide free access to online curriculum and digital tools, while BSNL will coordinate implementation across non-profit educational institutions nationwide. Nokia will support the creation of a 5G Centre of Excellence and AI/ML Lab, training 300 students annually in 5G radio, core networks, and AI/ML applications. It includes a joint certification programme by Nokia and BRBRAITT, with support from the Telecom Sector Skill Council. Minister Scindia described the initiative as "a landmark step in building a skilled and future-ready telecom workforce through collaboration between BSNL and leading global technology companies." He noted" "Backed by industry leaders such as Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco, Qualcomm, and BSNL, the program will train over 2,000 students annually, with Phase 1 investments exceeding Rs 1 crore." The Minister added that the courses -- ranging from short two-week modules to intensive 84-hour programs -- "aim to position Jabalpur as a hub for cutting-edge technology education." Reaffirming India's global ambitions, Scindia stated: "From local to global -- India will not just make in India, but make for the world. Jabalpur will be at the heart of this transformation." Calling for stronger partnerships, he emphasized, "Government and industry are two sides of the same coin. Together, we can turn the aspirations of our youth into reality." Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal underscored the partnership model, which aims to train not only public sector staff but also students and industry personnel. "It's a private-public partnership where four companies, along with BSNL, are joining hands to train not only public sector staff and trainers, but also students and employees of telecom service providers through short-, medium-, and long-term courses." "And we hope that this will provide a fillip to the employment, economy, not only to the state of Madhya Pradesh, but to the rest of the country," the Telecom Secretary added. "In the long term, the initiative aims to form a broad consortium of Indian and global tech stakeholders to collectively drive training, innovation, and research in advanced telecom domains," the Ministry of Communications said.

BSNL Partners with Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco & Nokia to Launch 5G, AI, and Cybersecurity Skilling Hub

Nitin Bansal, MD, Ericsson India, and Robert J. Ravi, CMD, BSNL, sign MoU with Communications Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and DoT Secretary Shri Neeraj Mittal to launch 5G & IoT training at BRBRAITT. In a significant move towards creating industry-ready skilled manpower, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four global technology leaders: Ericsson India Pvt. Ltd., Qualcomm Technologies Inc., Cisco Systems, and Nokia Solutions and Networks India Pvt. Ltd. Aimed at accelerating India's digital transformation and strengthening the skilling ecosystem, these partnerships will roll out advance training initiatives in 5G, AI/ML, networking, and digital technologies at BSNL's apex training institute, Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. This development is a step towards a broader plan by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, to establish a Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT. Envisioned as an industry-led national hub, TIRTC will focus on developing telecom-specific R&D talent and a future-ready workforce -- aligning with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of Skill India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. TIRTC will also support product innovation, prototyping, and telecom entrepreneurship in the long term. The MoUs were signed at a ceremony in New Delhi, in the presence of Hon'ble Union Minister of Communications and DoNER, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Secretary (Telecom) Dr. Neeraj Mittal, senior officials from the DoT, BSNL leadership, and representatives from partner companies. "This collaboration between BSNL and leading global technology companies is a landmark step in building a skilled and future-ready telecom workforce. It reflects the Government's commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital empowerment through industry-academia partnerships aligned with the vision of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat." The key initiatives under these MoUs are: Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India: "This collaboration is an investment in building a future-ready workforce to lead innovation in 5G, IoT, and advanced telecom technologies" These collaborations strongly support India's flagship missions -- Digital India, Skilling India, Make in India, Startup India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat -- and underscore DoT's commitment to building deep capabilities in next-generation telecom technologies. By equipping India's youth with critical future-tech skills, this initiative will help shape a self-reliant and globally competitive digital future. In the long term, the initiative aims to form a broad consortium of Indian and global tech stakeholders to collectively drive training, innovation, and research in advanced telecom domains

Indian state teleco partners with global tech firms

India's state owned (BSNL) has signed agreements with four global technology companies, Sweden's Ericsson, US-based Qualcomm and , and Finland's Nokia, to launch an industry-led skilling programme at its (BRBRAITT) in . The collaborations, announced on in , aim to train more than 2,000 students annually in areas including 5G, artificial intelligence, machine learning, networking and cybersecurity. This is the first step towards creating a Telecom Innovation, at BRBRAITT, envisioned by India's as a national hub for telecom research, product development and entrepreneurship. Ericsson will establish a 5G offering hands-on and online training aligned with its global curriculum while Qualcomm will create a dedicated institute focusing on advanced 5G and AI courses and sponsor training for the first 100 participants. Cisco will expand its programme to cover networking and cybersecurity, providing free access to its digital learning tools. Nokia will set up a joint 5G and AI or machine learning lab, training 300 students each year with certification supported by India's . India's Communications Minister said the project would position as a technology education hub with Phase 1 investment exceeding . Telecom Secretary said the initiative blends public and private expertise to upskill students, trainers and telecom sector employees nationwide. The programme supports India's Digital India, Skill India and Make in missions and seeks to build a globally competitive and self-reliant digital workforce.