Nokia Secures Multi-Billion-Dollar 5G Deal with Bharti Airtel in India
Finnish telecom equipment maker Nokia announced day that it has secured a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar contract extension with Bharti Airtel (Airtel) to deploy 4G and 5G equipment in major cities and states across India.
Under 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.
Nokia, in a press statement, said that these solutions will enhance Airtel’s network with exceptional 5G capacity and coverage, supporting its network evolution. Furthermore, Nokia will modernize Airtel's existing 4G network with multiband radios and baseband equipment, which will also support 5G.
“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 and provide customers with unparalleled user experience along with a network that will be eco-friendly to minimize environmental impact”, said Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD of Bharti Airtel.
“This strategic agreement further solidifies our long-standing collaboration with Airtel and our footprint in India. Our industry-leading AirScale portfolio and AI-based services will enhance the energy efficiency of Airtel’s network, enabling premium 5G capacity and connectivity with the highest quality of service for subscribers”, said Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia.
Nokia has partnered with Airtel for more than two decades, supplying 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G network equipment. Their collaboration has recently advanced with the launch of the Green 5G Initiative, designed to enhance the energy efficiency of Airtel's network and reduce carbon emissions, supporting the company's ambitious emission reduction goals.
