Nokia wins 4G and 5G extension deal from Bharti Airtel in India
Ahead of 5G-advanced network evolution
Nokia has secured a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar extension deal from Bharti Airtel to deploy 4G and 5G infrastructure across key cities and states in India. The agreement marks a significant milestone in their longstanding partnership, with Nokia set to enhance Airtel’s network and support its 5G-Advanced evolution.
Under the terms of the deal, Nokia will supply equipment from its advanced 5G AirScale portfolio, including base stations, baseband units, and the latest generation of Massive MIMO radios, all powered by the energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology. These solutions will deliver enhanced 5G capacity, coverage, and overall network performance for Airtel while future-proofing its network infrastructure.
Additionally, Nokia will upgrade Airtel’s existing 4G network with multiband radios and baseband equipment that seamlessly supports 5G. The deal also includes deploying Nokia’s MantaRay Network Management, an AI-driven system designed to optimise digital deployment, network monitoring, and technical support.
Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel emphasised the importance of the collaboration: “Airtel has been a pioneer in network innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries for delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions.
This strategic partnership with Nokia will future-proof our network infrastructure, providing our customers with an unparalleled user experience and an eco-friendly network that reduces environmental impact.”
Pekka Lundmark, Nokia’s President and CEO, stated: “This strategic agreement further solidifies our long-standing collaboration with Airtel in India. Our industry-leading AirScale portfolio and AI-based services will boost the energy efficiency of Airtel’s network, enabling premium 5G capacity and connectivity with the highest quality of service for subscribers.”
Nokia and Airtel have been partners for over two decades, providing equipment for 2G, 3 G, 4G, and now 5G networks. Their collaboration has recently advanced with the launch of the Green 5G Initiative, which aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in line with Airtel’s sustainability goals.
Featured image: ‘Airtel has pioneered network innovation in India’. Credit: Sam Kolder
