Nokia selected to deploy 4G and 5G equipment in India

Nokia has been awarded a multiyear, multibillion-dollar extension deal by Bharti Airtel to deploy its 4G and 5G equipment across key Indian cities and states.

As per the contract, Nokia will deploy equipment from its cutting-edge 5G AirScale portfolio, including base stations, baseband units and the latest generation of Massive MIMO radios, all powered by its energy-efficient ReefShark system-on-chip technology. These solutions will enhance Airtel’s network with 5G capacity and coverage, supporting its network evolution.

In addition, Nokia will modernise Airtel’s existing 4G network with multiband radios and baseband equipment, which can also support 5G. Airtel will also be leveraging Nokia’s MantaRay NM (Network Management) for intelligent network monitoring and management that uses AI-based tools covering digital deployment, optimisation and technical support.

“Airtel has been a pioneer in network innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries for delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions,” said Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD of Bharti Airtel. “This strategic partnership with Nokia will futureproof our network infrastructure and provide customers with unparalleled user experience, along with a network that will be eco-friendly to minimise environmental impact.”

The news comes less than two months after Nokia was awarded a similar deal to deploy its 4G and 5G equipment in India by telco company Vodafone Idea (Vi). The three-year agreement will deliver premium connectivity to over 200 million Vi customers, with Nokia set to replace the incumbent vendor in Chennai and Andhra Pradesh.

As with Airtel, Nokia will deploy equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio and will also modernise Vi’s existing 4G network. Vi will also benefit from MantaRay SON (Self-Organizing Networks), which uses self-configuring modules to boost network performance and efficiency and can be tailored to optimise specific software applications to address unique operational challenges.

“We are committed to providing a best-in-class 4G and 5G experience to our customers and this new deal with Nokia, who has been our partner since the beginning, will help us to deliver that,” said Akshaya Moondra, CEO of Vodafone Idea. “5G will bring seamless high-speed connectivity and increased capacity supporting citizens and enterprises alike. This will also enable unprecedented levels of innovation and efficiency across various sectors, empowering organisations to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Christa Boaz