The country?s largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Thursday awarded a $700-million 2G capacity expansion project to Nokia Siemens Network to increase its network capacity by 50% in eight of its circles. The contract includes network planning, implementation & project management, handling of local logistics & materials and system integration for the base station sites.
The equipment manufacturer already supplies device management solutions, mobile network portability, next-generation fixed-network and an interactive voice response system to Bharti.
The GSM network expansion would cover the circles of Mumbai, Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, MP & Chattisgarh, Bihar& Jharkhand, Orissa, Kolkata and West Bengal. NSN already provides equipment and managed services to Bharti in these eight circles. Currently, more than 60% of Airtel?s customers come from these regions.
?This expansion will not only expand our networks in rural hinterland but will also allow us to deliver a rich end-user experience and satisfy the increasing demand for top quality services,? Bharti Airtel deputy CEO and CEO designate Sanjay Kapoor said.
NSN will deploy 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.
A company statement said, ?The project will improve network capacity and spectral efficiency by employing a full range of services comprising network planning, implementation and optimisation. NSNetworks will also provide an operations and business management platform for the effective monitoring and management of the network. Also, it will ensure that Airtel?s core and transport network is 3G-ready in order to reduce time to market and enable quick rollout of 3G services at a later date.?