Bharti Airtel awards Ericsson multi-billion-dollar 4G, 5G deal extension

India’s leading telecommunications company Bharti Airtel on Wednesday announced that Ericsson has won a multi-year, multi-billion extension deal for 4G and 5G products and solutions.

Ericsson, a Swedish networking and telecommunications company, will implement advanced network technologies, deploying RAN (Radio Access Network) and Open RAN-ready solutions to transform the network and offer customers wider coverage on the network, Bharti Airtel said in a release. It will also work on software upgradation of its currently installed 4G radios, improving the customer experience.

”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,” Randeep Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel, said in a statement.

Ericsson has been Airtel’s trusted connectivity partner for more than 25 years. Both companies aim to advance the digital ecosystem of India and commit to enhancing the customer experience in the country.

This deal comes after Bharti Airtel’s multi-billion dollar deal with Finland’s Nokia for delivery of 4G and 5G equipment that was announced in November.

News agency Reuters reported in October that Ericsson signed a new contract with Airtel to sell 5G equipment.

These deals are focused on expanding 4G and 5G networks in India, on both coverage and capacity, especially in high-demand urban areas.

Ericsson and Nokia will meet nearly 50% and 40% of Bharti Airtel’s 4G and 5G network needs, respectively, according to a Moneycontrol report. Both European telecom companies have suffered a decline in sales since the last quarter of 2023. However, they are expected to be in a better situation on the back of the deals with Bharti Airtel and earlier deals with Vodafone Idea, the report added.

“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, Head of Ericsson South-east Asia, Oceania and India.