Listen to this article:
Nokia has announced a significant three-year partnership with Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) to deploy advanced 4G and 5G equipment, enhancing connectivity for over 200 million VIL customers. This deal not only strengthens Nokia’s position as a key supplier for VIL but also sees it expand its market share by replacing existing vendors in high-revenue regions like Chennai and Andhra Pradesh—which account for over 50% of VIL’s total revenue.
Nokia selected by Vodafone Idea as major 4G and 5G partner in India
The deployment will kick off immediately, utilizing Nokia’s cutting-edge 5G AirScale technology, powered by the energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip. The equipment rollout will include base stations, baseband units, and Habrok Massive MIMO radios to deliver exceptional 5G capacity and coverage. As part of the agreement, Nokia will also modernize VIL’s existing 4G infrastructure with multiband radios that are 5G-ready.
Additionally, VIL will leverage Nokia’s MantaRay SON platform, an automation and network optimization solution designed to boost network performance and operational efficiency. Nokia will handle everything from network planning and deployment to integration and optimization.
CEO Reactions:
Akshaya Moondra, CEO of Vodafone Idea, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering world-class 4G and 5G services:
“This partnership with Nokia will bring seamless high-speed connectivity and enable innovation and efficiency across various sectors.”
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, also expressed pride in continuing the decades-long partnership:
“We’re excited to support Vodafone Idea with our energy-efficient AirScale technology, ensuring premium quality and connectivity for their customers.”
This strategic deal marks another milestone in Nokia’s long-term relationship with VIL, which dates back over 30 years, covering multiple generations of mobile technology from 2G to now 5G.
