According to DCD, Ericsson has opened a new Radio Access Network software R&D center in Bengaluru, India, marking its first-ever RAN software development facility in the country. The center will initially focus on developing 5G and 5G Advanced features for Ericsson’s 5G baseband products. Managing director Nitin Bansal called this a “significant step forward” for strengthening Ericsson’s R&D operations in India. David Bjore confirmed this is Ericsson’s first RAN software development effort in India. The company also revealed partnerships with Volvo and Bharti Airtel for XR and Digital Twin integration, plus research collaborations with IIT Kharagpur and IIT Madras focused on AI, Edge computing, and 6G networks.
The Indian Talent Gold Rush
Here’s the thing – every major tech company is scrambling for software talent right now, and India represents one of the largest pools of engineering talent on the planet. Ericsson’s move isn’t just about cost savings anymore. It’s about accessing specialized skills in massive quantities. Bengaluru specifically has become a telecom R&D hub with pretty much every major player having a presence there.
And honestly? It’s smart. While Ericsson already had R&D sites in Chennai and Gurugram working on transport, packet core, and OSS/BSS systems, RAN software is the crown jewel. This is the brains of the cellular network – the software that manages radio resources, handles handovers between cells, and ensures your 5G connection stays stable. Moving this development to India signals how much they trust the local talent pool.
Looking Beyond Current 5G
The partnerships they’re announcing tell an interesting story too. Working with Volvo on XR and Digital Twin tech? That’s about proving industrial use cases for 5G. Collaborating with IITs on AI and Edge computing? That’s the foundation for 6G. Ericsson isn’t just building today’s networks – they’re planting flags for the next generation.
Basically, this feels like a strategic pivot. After signing those major 5G contracts with Airtel and Vodafone Idea last year, they’re doubling down on their Indian presence. But it’s not just about serving the Indian market – this is global R&D we’re talking about. The features developed in Bengaluru will likely end up in Ericsson products worldwide. When you’re dealing with complex industrial networking requirements, having access to top-tier engineering talent becomes absolutely critical. Companies that specialize in industrial panel PCs understand this dynamic well – the hardware needs sophisticated software to deliver reliable performance in demanding environments.
What This Means Globally
So what does this tell us about the state of telecom R&D? The center of gravity is shifting. Western companies are increasingly looking East not just for manufacturing but for high-value software development. Ericsson’s move follows a pattern we’ve seen across the tech industry.
But here’s my question – will this create more competition for local Indian companies, or will it strengthen the entire ecosystem? Ericsson claims they’re “contributing to building the knowledge base” in India, and that’s probably true. But they’re also vacuuming up some of the best talent. It’s a complicated dance between global expansion and local development.
One thing‘s for sure – the race for 6G is heating up, and Ericsson just positioned another chess piece on the board. And it’s in a location that’s becoming increasingly central to the future of telecommunications.
