Nokia Siemens Networks bags 700 million USD network expansion contract from Bharti Airtel


Looks like Nokia Siemens Networks is on the road to recovery after making some huge losses in 2009. NSN or Nokia Siemens Networks has bagged a 700 million USD or Rs.3500 crores.  Bharti Airtel aims to improve customer satisfaction with this expansion.  Network capacity is going to be increased by 50% in 8 circles – Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh, Bihar & Jharkhand, Orissa, Kolkata and West Bengal.

This move will also make Airtel’s Network 3G Ready to reduce time to market when 3G finally takes off in the future.

If you are in any of those circles and you use Airtel currently, are you happy with the call quality , signal strength ?

Press Release below:

  • Airtel users to enjoy an enhanced service experience due to state-of-the-art network technology equipment.
  • The network upgrade will enable Bharti Airtel to achieve higher customer satisfaction in a more cost effective manner.
  • Nokia Siemens Networks is expanding and upgrading the operator’s 2.5G network to increase network capacity by 50% in eight circles.
  • Nokia Siemens Networks already supplies Bharti Airtel with a wide spectrum of solutions, including device management, mobile network portability, next-generation fixed-network and an interactive voice response system.

Bharti Airtel Limited, Asia’s leading integrated telecom services provider and Nokia Siemens Networks today further strengthened their strategic partnership with a USD 700 million network expansion contract. The contract includes network planning, implementation and project management, handling of local logistics and materials, as well as system integration for the base station sites.

This GSM network expansion will cover the eight existing circles of Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh, Bihar & Jharkhand, Orissa, Kolkata and West Bengal where Nokia Siemens Networks already provides equipment and managed services for Bharti Airtel. With close to 60% of Airtel’s monthly customers coming from rural regions, this contract will enable Airtel to further aggressively expand its footprint into rural India.

“Airtel continues to drive innovation and leadership in the telecom sector. This expansion will not only expand our networks deeper into the rural hinterland but will also allow us to deliver a rich end-user experience, and satisfy the increasing demand for top-quality services,” said Sanjay Kapoor, chief executive officer designate, Bharti Airtel. We are delighted with Nokia Siemens Networks’ proven expertise and deep understanding of our requirements along with the assurance of network infrastructure that helps us sustain our leadership edge in India.”

“The unprecedented growth in the Indian telecommunications sector is compelling telecom operators to offer compelling solutions,” said Rajeev Suri, chief executive officer at Nokia Siemens Networks. “With this upgrade, Bharti Airtel can enhance network efficiency for a better end-user experience and, just as importantly, reduce the overall cost of owning and operating its network.”

Nokia Siemens Networks will deploy its energy-efficient network solutions, including Flexi multi-radio base stations, packet core platforms and microwave solutions for new and legacy networks to boost performance at a lower total cost of ownership and reduced carbon footprint.

The project will result in improvements to network capacity and spectral efficiency by employing a full range of services comprising network planning, implementation and optimization. Nokia Siemens Networks will also provide an operations and business management platform for the effective monitoring and management of the network. In addition, the company will ensure that Bharti Airtel’s core and transport network is 3G-ready in order to reduce time to market and enable the fast rollout of 3G services at a later date.


Author: Team FoneArena

A team of mobile geeks