New Delhi — In a significant step toward advancing India’s digital and telecom capabilities, the National Communications Academy (NCA) has signed a global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the GSM Association (GSMA) during the India Mobile Congress. The partnership, witnessed by Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, aims to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen collaboration in policy, research, and telecom innovation.
Atul Sinha, Director General of the NCA-Technology, described the agreement as a “strategic alignment with the future,” highlighting that it will usher in a new era of cooperation in telecom policy and capacity building. “GSMA brings decades of global experience in telecom standards, innovation, and spectrum policy. Together, we will advance research, training, and emerging domains like IoT, AI, and quantum communication,” Sinha said.
This marks the NCA’s first international collaboration. The MoU will promote joint research, knowledge exchange, and specialized training for professionals across both public and private telecom sectors. Updated training modules will now include cutting-edge subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and 5G governance.
Sinha credited the Minister of Communications’ leadership for enabling the partnership, emphasizing that aligning India’s telecom priorities with global innovation requires sustained institutional support. He also revealed that the NCA is exploring future partnerships with leading global universities in the US and UK for advanced studies in quantum communication, AI, and security — though these will undergo government review before implementation.
Looking ahead, the NCA is focusing on telecom convergence, aiming to integrate terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. “The future of connectivity lies in seamless transitions between satellite and ground-based systems. We want to ensure India is ready for that,” Sinha noted.
He further added, “As the world moves toward AI-powered networks and shared spectrum models, India must build a workforce capable of thinking globally. This collaboration ensures our officers and innovators can learn directly from international best practices.”
The GSMA partnership is expected to boost spectrum efficiency, policy innovation, and inclusive digital growth in India. “This is a moment of transformation,” Sinha said. “We are not just catching up with the world — we’re preparing to lead it.”
The NCA, operating under the Ministry of Communications, is responsible for training officers in telecom policy and management, contributing to the country’s human capital development in the digital domain. Meanwhile, GSMA, headquartered in London, represents nearly 1,100 operators and companies across the mobile ecosystem, fostering innovation and sustainable growth worldwide.
