Ericsson expands Bengaluru R&D centre for 5G and AI
Ericsson has expanded its research and development footprint in India with the opening of a new Radio Access Network (RAN) Software R&D unit in Bengaluru. The initiative reinforces its investment in telecom software innovation, marking another step in developing local capacity for advanced network technologies.
The new unit will focus on creating 5G and 5G Advanced software features for Ericsson’s 5G baseband, in coordination with global RAN development teams. The project follows its recent expansion of Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) development in India, announced in June 2025.
Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India and Head of Network Solutions for Market Area South East Asia, Oceania and India, says: “Setting up the R&D Centre in India for RAN software development represents a significant step forward towards strengthening our R&D operations in India.
"Even as we leverage Indian software talent, we are also contributing to building the knowledge base and the telecom ecosystem in the country.”
Bengaluru’s technology base attracts Ericsson’s continued R&D investment
The new facility adds to Ericsson’s existing R&D centres in Chennai and Gurugram, with Bengaluru hosting its first dedicated software development operation for RAN technologies in India.
The city’s engineering expertise and concentration of telecom professionals provide a platform for collaborative research and software innovation.
"We’re building on the strong partnerships we’ve formed in Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurugram and for the first time, we’re developing this RAN software ourselves in India.
"It is a significant step, as it not only supports India’s rising tech scene but also enables us to create solutions in the country that can have a global impact.”
The Bengaluru expansion deepens Ericsson’s integration into India’s broader digital ecosystem, which encompasses collaboration among global telecom companies, domestic technology institutes and the country’s emerging semiconductor sector.
Ericsson India strengthens research links with industry and academia
Ericsson’s R&D operations in India are closely tied to academic and industry research partnerships. In June 2025, it announced the start of ASIC development work in Bengaluru, supporting India’s semiconductor ecosystem and building capabilities for programmable networks.
At IIT Madras, Ericsson is conducting AI research for 6G networks, with a focus on developing Responsible AI frameworks.
Partnerships with the Indian Statistical Institute and IIT Kharagpur target areas such as cyber-physical systems, network security and AI-driven communication systems.
Ericsson further collaborates with Volvo and Airtel on Extended Reality (XR) and Digital Twin technologies at Volvo’s Bengaluru R&D Centre.
The projects connect network infrastructure with industrial automation and immersive technology applications, reflecting an expanding role for connectivity in manufacturing and enterprise sectors.
Nitin says that developing software-driven RAN and AI capabilities in India supports Ericsson’s global network innovation.
“We see India as a key base for developing software-driven network intelligence that contributes to Ericsson’s global operations,” he explains.
Ericsson builds on 120-year presence in India’s telecom landscape
Ericsson’s connection with Indian telecommunications extends back more than a century. It supported the launch of GSM services in 1994 and has remained involved through each phase of mobile network evolution.
In 2024, Ericsson launched its India 6G programme, creating a dedicated research group at its Chennai R&D centre to explore next-generation mobile technologies and open network standards.
It invests approximately US$5bn annually in global R&D. Its sites in Chennai, Bengaluru and Gurugram focus on multiple areas, including Transport, Packet Core, OSS, BSS, Cloud and advanced AI research.
Bjore says that Ericsson’s India operations now play a role in shaping global technology pathways. “We are developing capabilities that can be deployed worldwide,” he says.
“The focus is on building a sustainable research environment that integrates seamlessly with Ericsson’s global R&D processes,” he adds.
Ericsson’s expanded activity in Bengaluru reflects a broader trend among international telecom companies aligning R&D operations with regional innovation clusters.
Its ongoing investment supports India’s ambition to expand its role in high-value telecom engineering and software design.
Company portals
Executives
Nitin Bansal
MD, India & Head-Networks, South East Asia, Oceania and India
