Telecom Capacity Gets Boost: NCA, DoT & GSMA Sign MoU for Policy, Research & Training
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Communications
At India Mobile Congress 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), National Communications Academy (NCA), and GSMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in telecom policy, research, and capacity building. The collaboration aims to bolster the Digital India agenda by enhancing institutional capabilities, promoting regulatory best practices, and accelerating adoption of 5G, 6G, AI, IoT, quantum communications, and spectrum management.
Under the MoU:
NCA and GSMA will co-develop joint research, training, and analysis programmes targeting digital inclusion, sustainability, and policy innovation.
They will support capacity building through workshops, exposure programs, and leadership training, helping India engage more effectively in global telecom forums.
This MoU is a strategic move to institutionalise telecom policy knowledge and regulatory capacity in India. As telecom technologies evolve rapidly, having a domestic policy-research and training ecosystem is critical for ensuring that India retains control over its digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and global positioning in standards bodies.
What is NCA? β The National Communications Academy (NCA) is a training institution under the DoT tasked with building skills and policy capacity for telecom officers, regulators, and industry stakeholders across India.
What is GSMA? β The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) is an international trade body representing over 1,000 mobile operators and technology companies across 220 countries. It works to set global telecom standards, promote digital inclusion, and coordinate industry policy on 5G, 6G, spectrum use, and network security
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India ensure that the NCAβGSMA partnership translates into durable capability, not just occasional training and diffuses into state/regional telecom regulation ecosystems?
Read the full release here: NCA, DoT and GSMA Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Telecom Policy, Research and Capacity Building