Under the agreement, Nokia will deploy equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio including base stations, baseband units and the latest generation of Massive MIMO radios, all powered by its ReefShark System-on-Chip technology
According to Nokia, the new equipment will enhance Airtel’s network in terms of 5G capacity and coverage and support its network evolution.
In addition, under the agreement Nokia will modernise Airtel's existing 4G network with multi-band radios and baseband equipment, which can also support 5G.
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Airtel will also be leveraging Nokia's MantaRay Network Management for intelligent network monitoring and management that uses AI-based tools covering digital deployment, optimisation and technical support.
“Airtel has been a pioneer in network innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries for delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions, said Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD, Bharti Airtel.
"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 minimise environmental impact.”
Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, said the new agreement further solidifies the vendor's long-standing collaboration with Airtel and its 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.