Airtel partners with Nokia Networks to expand 3G network in Mumbai, West Bengal and Bihar

Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia Networks has bagged a contract from Bharti Airtel as the operator expands its 3G network in three circles of Mumbai, West Bengal and Bihar. “…it has bagged a 3G contract from Bharti Airtel that will help Airtel expand its 3G network in the Mumbai, West Bengal and Bihar telecom circles using Nokia’s latest Single RAN (radio access network) advanced platform,” Nokia Networks said in a statement on Thursday. The company, however, did not share financial details of the deal. Nokia said the deal includes an India-first dual band, dual carrier 3G network implementation, refarming 900 MHz to complement Mumbai’s existing 3G network on 2100 MHz. “The association with Nokia is in line with this and will enable residents in Mumbai, West Bengal and Bihar also to experience Airtel’s superior 3G network,” Bharti Airtel’s director of network services group, Abhay Savargaonkar, said. Under the contract, Nokia Networks will supply single RAN advanced platform, which will also support Bharti Airtel in its LTE or 4G rollout. “This multi-standard radio platform is optimal because it will also support Bharti Airtel in its TD-LTE roll-out and pave the way to FDD-LTE in the near future,” Nokia said. Bharti Airtel won 1,800 MHz spectrum in 15 circles including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The Sunil Bharti Mittal-promoted firm plans to launch pan-India 4G network using 1,800 MHz. The company already offers 4G services using TDD LTE technology on 2,300 MHz band in Ludhiana, Mohali, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh and Panchkula. Nokia’s NetAct network management system will enable effective monitoring and management of Bharti Airtel’s networks. “While Nokia’s Single RAN Advanced platform will ensure a reliable 3G mobile broadband connectivity cost efficiently, our comprehensive services will ensure smooth deployment,” Nokia Networks vice president and head of India region, Sandeep Girotra, said. PTI