Vodafone Idea selects Nokia as a 5G partner
Covering major Indian cities
Nokia has announced a three-year partnership with Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) to enhance its 4G and 5G infrastructure across India.
The collaboration aims to modernise and expand VIL’s existing network, delivering premium connectivity to approximately 200 million subscribers in India.
Under the terms of the deal, Nokia will replace the incumbent vendor in critical regions, including Chennai and Andhra Pradesh, solidifying its position as the largest supplier in areas that account for over 50% of VIL’s revenue.
Deployment is set to commence immediately, leveraging Nokia’s industry-leading 5G AirScale portfolio, which includes advanced base stations and the latest Habrok Massive MIMO radios. These innovations facilitate easy deployment while enhancing 5G capacity and coverage.
Nokia will also upgrade VIL’s current 4G network by incorporating multiband radios and baseband units, ensuring a smooth transition to 5G capabilities. Additionally, the partnership will implement Nokia’s MantaRay SON solution, a sophisticated network optimisation platform that enhances performance and efficiency through self-configuring modules tailored for specific operational challenges.
Besides proving to be a significant move for India’s telecommunications landscape, the new collaboration marks a continuation of Nokia’s long-standing relationship with Vodafone Idea, which has spanned over three decades and covered the deployment of 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.
Akshaya Moondra, CEO of Vodafone Idea, emphasised the company’s commitment to delivering a superior 4G and 5G experience. He stated: “5G will bring seamless high-speed connectivity and increased capacity, supporting citizens and enterprises alike.”
Tommi Uitto, Nokia’s President of Mobile Networks, stated that VIL will benefit from the latest technological advancements in Nokia’s energy-efficient AirScale portfolio. “We look forward to working with Vodafone Idea on this exciting deployment,” he said.
As both companies move forward, the strategic partnership is expected to significantly enhance the digital landscape in India, enabling unprecedented levels of innovation and efficiency across various sectors.
Featured image: 5G testing in Nokia’s Stargate antenna chamber. Credit: Nokia
