Bharti Airtel has conferred Ericsson a multi-year extension deal for 4G and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN)  products and solutions worth billions aimed at improving network connectivity. 

Scope of work

As per the deal, Ericsson has been entrusted to deploy centralized RAN and Open RAN-ready solutions for network upgrades. It will enable Airtel customers to avail wider coverage and enhanced capacity. Ericsson will also be upgrading the software of existing 4G radios with the purpose of enhancing customer experience. 

Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel

The CTO remarked, “The strategic partnership with Ericsson to deploy the latest technology is a testament to Airtel's pursuit of network excellence. This deployment will enable us to further improve the speed, reliability, and coverage of our network, ensuring an exceptional experience for our customers.” 

Andres Vicente, Head of Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India 

“This partnership extension reflects our shared vision to build a robust 4G and 5G infrastructure for Bharti Airtel to serve the connectivity needs of its customer base – including the new 5G use cases as they emerge. We will work closely with Bharti Airtel to deliver great user experiences for their customers” said  Andres Vicente while reflecting on the partnership. 

Some learnings 

As per the report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Airtel had lost a total of 16.9 lakh users out of its subscriber base back in July. This must have served the authorities in Airtel with a much-needed lesson on retaining the quality of the network and not only expanding and diversifying the offerings. 

Read Here: BSNL Adds 4.1 Million Users in August as Other Telcos Continue to Straddle 

Telecom Ecosystem in India 

The current telecom ecosystem in India is going through an interesting phase, where private telecom companies hold 92.5% of the market. Meanwhile, BSNL, a public sector undertaking, is working on enhancing and expanding its network. BSNL aims to compete with private players by launching its 5G services early next year, setting the stage for intense competition between public and private telecom operators. Efforts to attract users through cheaper plans and innovative services are visible in the market. 

Prospects 

These efforts aim largely to enhance customers’ experience with Airtel’s connectivity across the geography of India thereby positioning the telco as India’s top-ranking telecom operator in offering the best quality service to its users. 

Also Read: Nokia secures multi-billion deal with Airtel for 4G, 5G network expansion.

Airtel-Ericsson partnership 

Ericsson has been a reliable connectivity partner for Airtel for more than 25 years, playing a key role in supporting each generation of mobile communications. This long-standing partnership highlights the shared dedication of both companies to creating an advanced digital ecosystem in India.