Central government-led Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Ericsson India, Qualcomm Technologies, Cisco Systems, and Nokia India. The MoUs are aimed at launching advance training initiatives at BSNL’s Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) Jabalpur in 5G, AI, cybersecurity, and networking.

The MoUs were signed on Monday in the presence of Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, aside from other dignitaries of Department of Telecommunications, and country heads of each of the signing organisations from the private sector.

The MoU with Ericsson India entailed setting up a 5G Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT for hands-on and online 5G training, targeting over 2,000 students annually. BSNL will provide classroom facilities; Ericsson will offer its global curriculum, trainers, and lab access. Meanwhile, Qualcomm signed for building a Qualcomm Institute in the college premises for advanced 5G and AI training for students, BSNL trainers, and government stakeholders. The first 100 participants will receive sponsored training in the inaugural year. Using Cisco Systems’ Networking Academy, BRBRAITT will train students in networking, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure. Content and tools will be provided free, with BSNL coordinating rollout in non-profit educational institutions nationwide. Finally, Nokia Solutions and Networks signed the MoU for creating a 5G Centre of Excellence and AI/ML Lab at BRBRAITT to train 300 students a year in 5G networks and AI/ML applications, with joint certification from Nokia and BRBRAITT.

This marks the Centre’s first step towards creating National Telecom R&D and Skilling Hub - Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at the Jabalpur institute.

“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 ₹1 crore,” said Scindia, who shared that ranging from short two-week modules to intensive 84-hour programs, the programs aim to position Jabalpur as a hub for cutting-edge technology education.