Nokia wins multi-billion 5G extension deal from Bharti Airtel

Nokia signed a multi-year, multi-billion extension deal with Bharti Airtel to deploy 4G and 5G network equipment across key Indian cities, the Finnish company announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Under the deal, Nokia will provide advanced equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio, including base stations, baseband units, and Massive MIMO radios, which are powered by its ReefShark System-on-Chip technology. These are expected to boost Airtel’s network with expanded 5G capacity and coverage while supporting future network evolution, Nokia said in the statement.

The Espoo-based company, which has been in partnership with Airtel for two decades, will also modernize Airtel’s existing 4G infrastructure, to include multiband radios and baseband equipment capable of supporting 5G. Airtel will implement Nokia’s MantaRay Network Management tools, which use AI-driven capabilities for deployment, optimization, and technical support.

“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,” Gopal Vittal, vice chairman and MD of Bharti Airtel said.

Nokia’s CEO, Pekka Lundmark, talked about the strategic nature of this agreement, highlighting its role in improving network energy efficiency and providing high-quality 5G connectivity for Airtel subscribers.

“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,” Lundmark said.