Nokia Secures 5G Extension Contract with Bharti Airtel for Indian Operations

On November 20, 2024, Nokia announced it had been awarded a multi-year, multi-billion dollar contract by Bharti Airtel to deploy advanced 4G and 5G equipment across various cities in India. This significant deal solidifies the longstanding partnership between the two companies, ensuring that Airtel’s network infrastructure will be enhanced with state-of-the-art technology to improve connectivity and overall user experience.

Key Benefits of the Deal for Bharti Airtel

Gopal Vittal, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the deal, stating that it would significantly enhance the telecom provider’s network solutions. The collaboration with Nokia is expected to "future-proof" Airtel’s network infrastructure, ensuring it is equipped to meet growing data demands and provide seamless connectivity to customers. Vittal emphasized that the partnership would not only enhance user experience but also make the network eco-friendly, which is a crucial aspect for Airtel as it seeks to minimize its environmental footprint.

Nokia’s Role in Improving Airtel’s Network Efficiency

Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, spoke about the importance of this agreement in strengthening the relationship between the two companies. He noted that the deal would focus on improving the energy efficiency of Airtel’s network. This will allow Airtel to offer premium 5G connectivity services to its subscribers while also maintaining a high level of service quality. Lundmark pointed out that Nokia’s contribution would be vital in advancing Airtel’s network, particularly in the context of reducing the environmental impact of its operations.

A Long-Term Partnership Focused on Sustainability

This deal marks a continued collaboration between Bharti Airtel and Nokia, which spans more than two decades. Both companies have been working together since the early days of mobile network infrastructure in India. Recently, they launched the "Green 5G Initiative," which aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from Airtel’s network. This initiative underscores their shared commitment to sustainability and addressing the environmental concerns associated with telecom operations. Through this initiative, both companies hope to create a greener and more energy-efficient telecom infrastructure for the future.

Insights into the Ongoing Supplier Negotiations

As reported earlier by Moneycontrol, negotiations had been ongoing between Bharti Airtel and its telecom equipment suppliers, including Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung. These suppliers are expected to share the responsibility of equipping Airtel’s 4G and 5G networks, with Nokia contributing around 50 percent of the new equipment, Ericsson around 45 percent, and Samsung providing the remaining 5 percent. This distribution reflects the companies' competitive standing in the Indian telecom market and their respective roles in meeting Airtel's growing demand for advanced network infrastructure.

Future Prospects and the Road Ahead

With the increasing demand for high-speed mobile connectivity across India, the multi-billion-dollar deal with Nokia is poised to strengthen Bharti Airtel’s position as a leading telecom provider. The deployment of 4G and 5G technologies will help Airtel expand its reach and offer customers improved services. Additionally, the focus on sustainability will likely boost the company’s reputation as a responsible corporate entity, aligning with global trends toward greener technologies.

As Bharti Airtel continues to expand its 5G services, the partnership with Nokia will be crucial in delivering the network capabilities and service quality that Indian consumers are expecting in the next phase of telecom evolution.