Aiming to develop a future-ready workforce for 5G and digital tech, BSNL partners with Nokia, Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Cisco to provide advanced telecom training in India.
To enhance India’s telecom workforce, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed agreements with four global tech giants: Nokia, Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Cisco. The partnerships aim to roll out advanced training programmes in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), networking, and digital technologies.
These initiatives will be implemented at BSNL’s training facility, the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
According to the Ministry of Communication, this collaboration is also a key step in the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) broader vision to establish a Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT.
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted that this move will provide essential training to over 2000 students annually. The first phase of investment in the programme is expected to exceed ₹10 million.
The courses range from short two-week modules to more intensive 84-hour programmes. Under the partnership, Nokia will train 300 students annually in 5G and AI applications. Ericsson will provide hands-on 5G training to over 2000 students each year, while Qualcomm will establish a dedicated institute to focus on 5G and AI training. Cisco will provide digital resources to enhance learning nationwide.
Commenting on the significance of India as a key market, Tarun Chhabra, Country Manager for Nokia, stated that India has been a critical location for their operations for over three decades. He added that Nokia plans to hire more local talent for its R&D centre, which currently employs around 8000 people.
Similarly, Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in fostering innovation in 5G, IoT, and other advanced telecom technologies, contributing to India’s growing role in the global telecom sector.
