Nokia is shifting into a higher gear in India, expanding its R&D centre and tapping into the rich pool of local talent.
The company’s R&D operations in the country already employ about 8,000 professionals—and there’s another 4,000 supporting global service functions right out of India.
Now, Nokia plans to grow that footprint further by hiring more people locally and stepping up its commitment to developing their skills.
Country Manager Tarun Chhabra, speaking at a BSNL event, made it clear that India is a long-term priority for Nokia. “For three decades, we’ve been dedicated to India,” he said. Going forward, Nokia wants to deepen that focus—not just by hiring, but by training people to take on critical roles in R&D.
This expansion aligns with India’s broader push for self-reliance. Nokia has joined forces with BSNL, Ericsson, Cisco, and Qualcomm to roll out advanced tech training at BSNL’s top telecom institute in Jabalpur.
Expect hands-on courses in 5G radio, core networks, artificial intelligence, machine learning—you name it. In numbers, Nokia will train 300 students each year in 5G, AI, and related areas; Ericsson plans to take over 2,000 students annually under its “Educate” program.
Qualcomm is setting up its own training hub, while Cisco is opening up its online curriculum. BSNL is coordinating the rollout across educational institutions to broaden the reach.
Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was quick to praise the initiative, calling it a concrete next step toward transforming India from a service-heavy economy into one that designs and builds its own telecom products. This, he said, reflects the spirit of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in action.
