TLDR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India is set to lead the next wave of digital transformation, focusing on 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), and will establish global benchmarks. This vision is supported by BSNL’s collaborations with global tech giants like Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia to foster digital innovation and skill development among Indian youth.
New Delhi, August 23, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that India is strategically positioned to spearhead the upcoming wave of global digital transformation, with a strong emphasis on 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity. The Prime Minister’s statement underscores India’s ambition to set new global benchmarks in these critical technological domains.
Speaking on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi lauded India’s significant strides in expanding affordable broadband access, revolutionizing digital payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and effectively leveraging technology for enhanced governance. He noted that these achievements have garnered international recognition and are now considered global case studies.
The Prime Minister’s vision was further elaborated through a reshare of a post by Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) highlighted that India’s robust progress in digital infrastructure is not only empowering its citizens but is also actively shaping the global digital economy.
Minister Scindia’s social media post on platform X (formerly Twitter) emphasized that India’s advancements in affordable broadband, UPI, and digital governance serve as a global model. He reiterated that India is poised to lead and establish new standards in the next wave of 5G, AI, IoT, and cybersecurity.
A cornerstone of this initiative is Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) strategic collaborations with four leading global technology companies: Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia. These partnerships are deemed crucial for preparing India’s youth to excel at the forefront of digital innovation.
According to Minister Scindia, these collaborations are meticulously aligned with key national initiatives such as Digital India, Skill India, Make in India, and Startup India. The overarching goal is to solidify India’s position as a global hub for telecom innovation and expertise.
At the heart of this educational and research endeavor is BSNL’s apex training institute, the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. This institute is designated as the nodal center for rolling out advanced skilling and research programs.
Specific contributions from the global partners include:
Ericsson: Will establish a 5G Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT, providing hands-on training informed by global best practices.
Qualcomm: Will offer advanced courses in 5G and AI, and will sponsor training for the first 100 students, thereby creating new avenues for employability.
Cisco: Will expand its Networking Academy to enhance access to world-class training in networking and cybersecurity.
Nokia: Will set up a 5G and AI-ML Lab, offering joint certifications to significantly boost graduates’ industry readiness.
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These comprehensive partnerships and training programs are designed to benefit students, professionals, and public sector employees across various skill levels, ensuring India’s workforce is equipped to drive the nation’s digital future.
