New Delhi: A partnership between Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and global tech leaders Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia, formalised today, aims to equip India’s youth with advanced telecom skills at the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur.
The Memoranda of Understanding, signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, PWD Minister Rakesh Singh, MP Ashish Dubey, Telecom Secretary Dr. Neeraj Mittal, and company representatives, will train over 2,000 students annually in 5G, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and networking. The MoUs, signed by BSNL MD A. Robert J. Ravi with Tarun Chhabra (Nokia), Harish Krishnan (Cisco), Nitin Bansal (Ericsson), and Savi Soni (Qualcomm), align with Digital India, Skilling India, Make in India, and Startup India.
The initiative aims to build a consortium for telecom innovation, supporting product prototyping and entrepreneurship. By addressing skill gaps, it positions India for global competitiveness, with Jabalpur as a key hub for digital advancement. This initiative paves the way for the Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT, envisioned as a national hub for telecom R&D and a Centre of Excellence for 6G, 5G, AI, and cybersecurity.
Ericsson India will establish a 5G Centre of Excellence, offering hands-on training and online modules via the Ericsson Educate Programme for over 2,000 students yearly, using BSNL’s infrastructure. Qualcomm Technologies will launch a Qualcomm Institute for 5G and AI training, providing online content, live sessions, and internships, sponsoring the first 100 participants. Cisco Systems will deploy its Cisco Networking Academy, offering free online curriculum and digital tools to non-profit institutions for equitable access. Nokia Solutions and Networks will create a 5G Centre of Excellence and AI/ML Lab, training 300 students annually in 5G radio, core networks, and AI/ML, with joint certifications alongside BSNL and the Telecom Sector Skill Council.
The programme supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission by fostering industry-ready talent. 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.” With Phase 1 investments exceeding ₹1 crore, courses range from two-week modules to 84-hour programs. Dr. Mittal emphasised, “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,” boosting employment and economic growth.
– global bihari bureau
