The Swedish equipment manufacturer Ericsson on Wednesday said it has bagged the country?s largest telecom operator, Bharti Airtel?s $1.3 billion network expansion contract. Ericsson will expand and upgrade Airtel?s network in 15 of India?s 22 telecom circles. The upgradation will ensure that the core network is ready for 3G services.

Commenting upon the deal with Ericsson, Bharti Airtel CEO (India & South Asia) Sanjay Kapoor said, ?The extension of our 15 years association with Ericsson is testimony to the strength of the relationship as well as the success of the model. We continue to be delighted with Ericsson?s expertise in network expansion and transformation, helping us to reduce operating expenditures and enhance network quality. This way we can continue to provide a superior customer experience.?

As part of this contract, Ericsson will supply energy efficient 2G/2.5G radio base stations, circuit and packet core, microwave transmission and intelligent network. In addition, Ericsson 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. The department of telecommunications has set September 1 as the deadline for the commercial launch of the 3G services in the country.

The expansion will induct latest technologies within the wireless world to bring higher quality voice, support more users in using one base station, and enhance data rates using Evolved EDGE technology and other new services.