Bharti Airtel has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to build and operate its fourth generation (4G) network in Maharashtra.
According to industry sources, the deal size ranges between €70-100 million spread over a 3-5 year period.
The network will be based on TD-LTE (time division duplex long-term evolution) technology, a mobile broadband platform that delivers instant Internet access and can support video streaming and high-definition video conferencing.
Airtel plans to launch services in the State later this year. Mr Sanjay Kapoor, CEO Bharti Airtel (India & South Asia), said, “In the next five years, data will be the main thrust in India, riding on the waves of 3G or 4G technologies. As per industry estimates, mobile data traffic in the country will increase nearly 100-fold by 2015 and consumers will stream nearly 600 hours of video content — every second, thus paving way for the ensuing data revolution.”
In talks with ericsson
Airtel had also won 4G spectrum in Punjab, West Bengal and Karnataka. Sources said that the operator is in talks with Ericsson for supplying gear in Punjab, Huawei in Karnataka and ZTE for West Bengal.
Airtel is the first major player to announce the 4G network deal. Earlier, Internet firm Augere had announced a deal with Ericsson for offering 4G services in Madhya Pradesh by the second quarter this year. Reliance Industries is the other major player planning to start roll out services for which it has partnered with some content providers already.
For Airtel, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide network design, integration, commissioning and optimisation services. The vendor will use its Global Network Solutions Centre at Noida, that is already supporting TD-LTE networks globally .
Mr Ashish Chowdhary, head of Customer Operations Asia and Middle East at Nokia Siemens Networks, said, “We hope to assist the operator in taking mobile broadband experience to a completely new level for its customers.”