Nokia aims to secure a significant 5G contract with Bharti Airtel in India.
In a potential boost for its business, Finland’s Nokia is reportedly in discussions with Indian telecom operator Bharti Airtel to secure a multi-billion-dollar contract for 5G telecom equipment.
As Airtel expands its network capabilities, this deal could prove crucial for both companies amid a competitive telecom landscape.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Swedish telecom giant Ericsson has already secured a multi-billion-dollar contract with Airtel, highlighting the competitive nature of India’s telecom market.
India is now the world’s second-largest smartphone market, where major players such as Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea are investing heavily in 5G infrastructure.
Last year, the surge in orders from these companies helped Nokia and Ericsson offset declining demand from US customers.
However, the pace of new orders from India has notably slowed down following an initial growth spurt.
The Technical Advantage
If finalized, the contract would involve Nokia’s advanced AirScale mobile radios, which not only facilitate the upgrade of existing networks to 5G-Advanced but also aim to lower energy costs.
This move aligns with industry trends focusing on energy efficiency and enhanced performance.
Ongoing Developments
While Nokia has refrained from commenting on the talks, sources describe the potential agreement as a “routine and ongoing arrangement” with network vendor partners.
Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel has yet to respond to requests for comment.
In addition to discussions with Nokia and Ericsson, Airtel is also exploring options with Samsung, which is keen to expand its network equipment business in India despite currently trailing behind its competitors.
