Nokia and Bharti Airtel (Airtel) have announced a major multi-year, multi-billion dollar deal to expand 4G and deploy 5G equipment across key locations in India. This agreement builds on a 20+ year partnership between the two companies.
Nokia will provide 5G equipment from its AirScale portfolio, including base stations, baseband units, and Massive MIMO radios, all powered by its energy-efficient ReefShark technology.
Nokia will modernize Airtel’s existing 4G network with multiband radios and baseband equipment that can also support 5G and provide its MantaRay Network Management system for AI-powered network monitoring, management, and optimization.
This will let Airtel enhance network capacity and coverage for exceptional 5G performance, future-proofed network infrastructure for evolving customer needs and improve energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact through the Green 5G Initiative.
Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD, Bharti Airtel, said:
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.
Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, said:
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.