Ribbon’s Cell-Site Router Solution to Enable Airtel’s 5G Deployment

Ribbon Communications Inc., a global provider of real time communications technology and IP optical networking solutions to many of the world’s largest service providers, enterprises, and critical infrastructure operators to modernize and protect their networks, has announced that Bharti Airtel ("Airtel), India’s leading telecommunications services provider, has selected Ribbon to expand its current IP Transport backhaul network in order to deploy 5G throughout India.

Ribbon’s 5G Cell Site Router (CSR) solution, designed for optimized delivery and efficiency, leverages the Ribbon Muse domain orchestration platform deployed in Airtel’s network for automation and analytics. The CSR is based on the Neptune 1022R IP router – a flexible high capacity platform that provides support for multiple access technologies and services in a compact form factor.

“We’ve been working very closely with Airtel in order to design a solution to meet their exact, wide-ranging specifications on cost efficiency, delivery, and technical capability,” said Sam Bucci, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Ribbon’s IP Optical Networks Business Unit. “5G will prove to be a critical enabler for India’s continued growth and we’re proud to partner with Airtel, a proven leader in this space, on this key initiative.”

This agreement builds on the previously announced deployment of Neptune and Muse within Airtel’s network for 5G readiness.

Ribbon Communications delivers communications software, IP and optical networking solutions to service providers, enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors globally.

Ribbon engages deeply with its customers, helping them modernize their networks for improved competitive positioning and business outcomes in today's smart, always-on and data-hungry world.

Headquartered in India, Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 500 Mn customers in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa.

The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people. Airtel is India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider and the second largest mobile operator in Africa.

Airtel’s retail portfolio includes high speed 4G/5G mobile broadband, Airtel Xstream Fiber that promises speeds up to 1 Gbps with convergence across linear and on-demand entertainment, streaming services spanning music and video, digital payments and financial services.

For enterprise customers, Airtel offers a gamut of solutions that includes secure connectivity, cloud and data centre services, cyber security, IoT, Ad Tech and CPaaS (Airtel IQ).