Nokia Networks bags 3G network expansion deal from Bharti Airtel in India

Nokia Networks has bagged a 3G contract from Bharti Airtel that will help Airtel enhance its 3G network in the Mumbai, West Bengal and Bihar telecom circles using Nokia’s latest Single RAN (radio access network) Advanced platform.

The deal includes an India-first dual band, dual carrier 3G network implementation, refarming 900 MHz to complement Mumbai’s existing 3G network on 2100 MHz. This will enable higher throughput and thus improved 3G services for Bharti Airtel’s customers.

Abhay Savargaonkar, Director Network Services Group, Bharti Airtel said, “As a brand committed to enrich lives, we continue to offer innovative data services like One Touch Internet, Re 1 entertainment store et al empowering millions across the country to leverage the power of mobile internet on our smartphone network. The association with Nokia is in line with this and will enable millions of customers to experience an enhanced 3G network in these circles.”

“With Indian subscribers increasingly looking for high-speed mobile broadband services, 3G is a very important technology option that operators in India need to embrace to fulfill the demands of their subscribers,” said Rohan Dhamija, Partner and Head of India and South Asia, Analysys Mason. “Expanding 3G networks as in this deal, and upgrading the existing 2G networks to 3G across the country by operators will allow subscribers to enjoy rich multi-media applications and services such as their favorite movies, online games, and sports like cricket without buffering on their mobile screen. Ubiquitous 3G network coverage in India means availability of high-speed broadband services to subscribers and increased revenue for operators.”

“This deal bolsters our long-term partnership with Bharti Airtel, and we are committed to helping the operator provide further improved mobile broadband experience for its customers,” said Sandeep Girotra, Vice President and Head of India region, Nokia Networks. “While Nokia’s Single RAN Advanced platform will ensure a reliable 3G mobile broadband connectivity, our comprehensive services will ensure smooth deployment.”

Under the contract, Nokia Networks will supply its Single RAN Advanced platform, based on its energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station. This multi-standard radio platform is optimal because it will also support Bharti Airtel in its TD-LTE rollout and pave the way to FDD-LTE in the near future. In addition, Nokia Networks will deploy its Flexi Lite Base Station, a small all-in-one base station optimized for indoor and outdoor micro-cell deployments to provide the best coverage in densely crowded areas. Nokia will also supply its extremely compact, highly scalable and flexible multi-technology, all-IP multicontroller RNC (mcRNC).

Nokia’s NetAct network management system will enable effective monitoring and management of Bharti Airtel’s networks. Nokia Networks will also provide a range of services such as network planning and optimization, network implementation, network operations, and care services including hardware and software maintenance as well as competence development.