Bharti Airtel has signed a multi-billion-dollar, multi-year extension deal with Nokia to boost its 4G and 5G network infrastructure across key regions in India. This agreement will further strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two companies and position Nokia as a major supplier for Airtel’s next-generation telecom network.
Under this strategic collaboration, Nokia will provide cutting-edge 5G solutions from its AirScale portfolio, including base stations, baseband units, and Massive MIMO radios.

The Finnish company will also modernize Airtel’s 4G infrastructure, ensuring seamless compatibility with 5G technology. The initiative will incorporate energy-efficient features, such as Nokia’s ReefShark system-on-chip, to enhance network performance while reducing environmental impact. Airtel plans to use Nokia’s advanced tools like the MantaRay Network Management system for AI-driven network monitoring and optimization. These upgrades aim to bolster Airtel’s capabilities in meeting growing consumer demand for high-speed connectivity and fixed wireless access. The initiative aligns with Airtel’s broader strategy of deploying 5G in areas with significant user demand while phasing out additional 4G investments.

Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel emphasized the eco-friendly design and customer-centric focus of this partnership, aiming to deliver a superior user experience. "Airtel has been a pioneer in network innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries for delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions. 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 minimize environmental impact," Vittal stated.

Pekka Lundmark, Nokia CEO, highlighted that this agreement will strengthen Nokia’s market presence in India and underscore its role as a strategic partner in advancing Airtel’s connectivity and capacity goals. Airtel’s subscriber base of 407 million, with a majority on 4G and 5G, sets the stage for rapid adoption of next-generation telecom services.