Nokia bags multi-billion extension deal from Airtel for 4G, 5G equipment

Nokia has signed a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar extension deal with Bharti Airtel to provide 4G and 5G equipment across Indian cities, the telecom major announced on 20 November. “This strategic partnership with Nokia will future-proof our network infrastructure, delivering superior user experiences while minimising environmental impact,” said Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD, Bharti Airtel. The deal aims to bolster Airtel’s 5G capacity and support its network evolution.

Nokia’s President and CEO, Pekka Lundmark, stated the agreement strengthens their collaboration and will enhance the energy efficiency of Airtel’s network. Nokia and Airtel share a two-decade-long partnership in network equipment. They recently launched the 'Green 5G Initiative' to improve network energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.



Following a similar agreement in August 2022, Nokia is expected to supply a significant share of Airtel’s 4G and 5G equipment. Additionally, Airtel will leverage Nokia’s AI-driven MantaRay Network Management tools for monitoring and managing its network infrastructure. (With Reuters inputs).