The three-year deal includes network planning, deployment, integration and network optimisation
Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) has chosen Nokia to deploy 4G and 5G equipment in India in a three-year deal. It includes the modernisation and expansion of VIL’s 4G network of which Nokia is already a major supplier.
The two did not disclose the financial value of the contract, but it will be a most welcome win for Nokia which is still reeling from being replaced in AT&T’s 5G network by Ericsson in a deal announced at the end of the last year which is worth up to $14 billion over five years.
The deployment will deliver improved connectivity to 200 million VIL customers. Nokia will increase its market share and replace the incumbent vendor in Chennai and Andhra Pradesh, making it the largest supplier in circles that generate more that 50% of VIL’s revenue. Deployment will begin immediately.
When Vodafone Idea was created in 2017 from the merger of Vodafone India and Idea, becoming the biggest operator in the country. It is now the third largest behind Reliant Jio and Airtel, which is a close second. VIL reported the biggest ever loss by an Indian firm in 2020. The Indian government took a stake in the company to keep it alive, which peaked at around 38% and is now down to 25%.
In June 2024, VIL announced it would issue shares worth INR24.58 billion (€294.2 million) to network equipment vendors Ericsson and Nokia in an effort to reduce debts of $42.17 billion.
Nokia will deploy equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio, based on its energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology. This includes base stations, baseband units, and its latest Habrok Massive MIMO radios. Nokia will also modernise VIL’s 4G network with multiband radios and baseband equipment, which can also support 5G.
Nokia will also deploy its MantaRay self-organising network (SON). The self-configuring modules are intended to boost network performance and efficiency. They can be tailored optimise particular software applications and to address unique operational challenges. Nokia will also provide planning, deployment, integration and network optimisation.
Nokia has long partnered VIL, through the deployment of 2G, 3G, 4G and now 5G networks. The operator was formed in and is owned by Vodafone
Akshaya Moondra, CEO of Vodafone Idea Limited, said, “We are committed to providing a best-in-class 4G and 5G experience to our customers and this new deal with Nokia, who has been our partner since the beginning, will help us to deliver that.”
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, added, “This is a continuation of our long-term partnership that has lasted for over three decades and highlights [VIL’s] trust in our technology portfolio.”