Airtel renews 4G pact with Nokia for expansion

NEW DELHI: Bharti AirtelNSE -0.53 % has awarded a multi-crore-rupee contract to Nokia to expand and modernise its 4G network in nine circles, including rural areas, where the Finnish company has already provided equipment to the telecom operator.

Airtel is expediting its network expansion and ramping up capacities, especially in rural areas. The telco’s chief technology officer Randeep Sekhon confirmed signing the new contract with Nokia to ET.

Nokia didn’t respond to ET’s queries.

“Renegotiations were on for some time where Airtel was seeking reduced prices under the newly constructed agreement. Such talks are already on with other vendors like Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE in their respective circles where Airtel is seeking new prices,” a person familiar with the matter said.