The Indian telecom sector is showing strong momentum in fresher hiring for H1 FY25, with 45% of companies expressing intent to recruit new graduates, according to the TeamLease EdTech Career Outlook Report (Jan–June 2025). This is a marginal drop from the 48% in H2 FY24, but the continued strength reflects a deeper trend: the transformation of telecom jobs into hybrid technology roles driven by 5G deployment, cloud-native adoption, and the need for cyber resilience.

Strong Demand Despite Marginal Decline

The slight dip in hiring percentages does not indicate weakening interest. Rather, it points to refined demand for specialised skill sets, especially among freshers who can adapt to the rapidly evolving telecom landscape. As the industry shifts toward tech convergence, roles now demand multi-disciplinary expertise—a blend of telecom infrastructure knowledge, Information Technology proficiency, and data analysis capability.

This trend underlines the integration of telecom with IT, forming positions that bridge network functions with cloud computing, cybersecurity, and DevOps practices. In such an environment, entry-level job seekers who are digitally fluent and trained in specific technical domains are increasingly preferred.

City-Centric Skill Demand

The geographical distribution of demand highlights that different cities are becoming niche hubs for specific telecom roles:

• Delhi (49%), Ahmedabad (41%), and Coimbatore (35%) are leading markets for Radio Frequency (RF) Engineers, reflecting expansion in radio access networks.

• Bangalore (48%), Mumbai (43%), and Nagpur (38%) are prioritising Network Security Analysts, driven by growing cyber threats and increasing digital traffic.

• Hyderabad (55%), Kolkata (48%), and Indore (43%) show the highest need for Field Technical Engineers, indicating a demand for on-ground network support.

• Pune (44%), Gurugram (40%), and Kochi (35%) have rising demand for Junior DevOps Engineers, reflecting automation and CI/CD integration in telecom ops.

• Chennai (51%), Nagpur (45%), and Chandigarh (37%) are emerging as Cloud Network Engineering hubs, aligning with the push for cloud-based telecom solutions.

Key Skills in Demand

As per TeamLease EdTech, freshers who possess domain-specific competencies will have a competitive advantage. The most sought-after skills include:

• RF Wireless Engineering: Critical for maintaining and expanding network reach, especially in the wake of 5G deployments.

• Cybersecurity Fundamentals: As networks scale digitally, protecting data and preventing intrusions is becoming essential.

• Cloud Network Architecture: Understanding virtual network functions (VNFs), edge computing, and multi-cloud management is key for newer telecom models.

Students and job seekers with a background in these areas are better aligned with current and future industry needs.

Insights from Industry Leadership

Mr. Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech, commented that the hiring trends reflect the sector's transformation. He stated that hiring today is not just about filling seats but about preparing the workforce for future-ready telecom infrastructure.

He highlighted that the sector is investing in building resilient and scalable network systems, and this requires new-age skill sets. As networks become virtualised, cloud-managed, and AI-enhanced, the human capital supporting them must evolve simultaneously.

Mr. Rooj also urged academic institutions to revise curricula and integrate practical, domain-aligned training programs. Educational alignment is critical to ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one, particularly for entry-level roles in hybrid functions.

Hybrid Roles on the Rise

The traditional boundaries between telecom and information technology are quickly dissolving. As companies adopt cloud-native architecture and deploy 5G-enabled platforms, job descriptions are now more interdisciplinary:

• Telecom Engineers must now understand cloud orchestration.

• IT specialists need familiarity with network functions virtualization (NFV).

• Security analysts must know telecom protocol risks in addition to general cyber threats.

These hybrid job profiles mean that companies are not just hiring for today’s operations, but also building a future-ready workforce capable of adapting to innovations over the next decade.

Employment Prospects and Education Reforms

While the report highlights robust hiring plans, it also indicates the need for educational ecosystem reforms. To support these evolving industry requirements, there’s a strong push for:

• Skill-based certification programs in RF and network operations

• Integration of cybersecurity modules in engineering and IT curriculums

• Internship-linked diploma programs focused on cloud-native telecom functions

• University-industry partnerships to offer live labs and project-based learning

Such initiatives can bridge the skills mismatch and significantly enhance employability of freshers.

Conclusion

The telecom sector’s hiring outlook for H1 FY25 demonstrates strong resilience and forward planning, especially in creating technology-integrated job roles for freshers. Even with a minor dip from previous quarters, the demand for specialised fresher roles remains robust, and the urban distribution of opportunities shows how different cities are becoming technical hubs for next-gen telecom operations.

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