Ericsson, leading provider of communications technology and services has partnered with Airtel for 4G network services for the 4G LTE rollout in India. Airtel had already partnered with Huawei and ZTE for 4G rollout in the past. Ericsson also announced that it would launch Radio Dot System and the RBS6402 picocell in India and enter into Small Cell Portfolio in the country. These would enable Indian telecom operators to optimize indoor coverage.
Airtel offers TDD-LTE services based on 2300 MHz spectrum and offers 4G on mobile using Circuit Switched FallBack (CSFB) voice solution. Aircel recently launched 4G LTE services that is also based on 2300MHz TDD-LTE spectrum. Reliance Jio is the only operator with pan-India 2300 MHz spectrum.
Idea Cellular has signed a solutions data charging deal for Ericsson’s Evolved IP Network (EIN) and real-time charging for its postpaid subscriber base, according to ET. Earlier this year Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Jio won spectrum in auction. Reliance Jio already said that it would use FDD-LTE on 1800 MHz and TDD-LTE on 2300 MHz to provide LTE through an integrated ecosystem. Airtel and Vodafone too plan to offer 4G using 1800 MHz spectrum in future.
“Airtel has selected Ericsson to be its partner in offering LTE (Long-Term Evolution, also marketed as 4G LTE) in India”, said Chris Houghton, Head of Ericsson Region India, at an event in New Delhi.