Airtel gives 4-year 3G network deal to Nokia Networks

KOLKATA: European telecom gear maker Nokia Networks has bagged a contract from Bharti Airtel Tuesday to roll out greenfield 3G networks in five new circles and expand the Sunil Mittal-led carrier’s third generation networks in three circles.

Under its 4-year contract, Nokia Networks will provide its radio elements and services expertise to power Bharti Airtel’s 3G infrastructure.

Bharti Airtel’s director, network services group, Abhay Savargaonkar, said the Indian telecom environment is experiencing a “rapid increase in the uptake of data-centric services,” which is why, the company had extended its association with Nokia Networks towards innovating Airtel’s services delivery mechanism.

Nokia Networks, he said, would enable “Airtel to deliver a host of multi-media apps as well as services”.

According to Sandeep Girotra, India head of Nokia Networks, the “strong traction in India’s 3G market, driven by rising demand for data-intensive apps and services, is the primary impetus behind Bharti Airtel’s 3G expansion initiatives” with Nokia.