Ericsson increases Vodafone Idea network share in India, bags four more telecom circles for 4G, 5G deployment

Indian communications service provider Vodafone Idea (Vi) has strengthened its longstanding network partnership with Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson through the award of major 4G and 5G contracts. The telecom gear maker has bagged four more telecom circles from Vodafone Idea for the deployment of 4G and 5G technology.

Last month, debt-ridden Vodafone Idea (VIL) had awarded about Rs 30,000 crore telecom network contract to Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung for a period of three years.

"Ericsson will upgrade 4G and deploy 5G across the Indian telecom circles it already powers for Vi. In addition, Ericsson will provide 4G and 5G services in the telecom circles of Delhi, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, thereby increasing its footprint and market share with Vi substantially," a company statement said.

As part of this contract, Ericsson will deploy energy-efficient and lightweight Ericsson Radio System products such as mid-band Massive MIMO antenna-integrated radios to ensure best-in-class network performance in the Vi network.

The deployment of 5G is a crucial part of Vi strategy to deliver high-quality network capabilities, enabling faster, more reliable connectivity to meet the growing demands of its customers.

Under the deal, VIL also replaced its Chinese vendor in Chennai and Andhra with Nokia.

Nokia has become the largest supplier to VIL covering circles that generate more than 50 per cent of the debt-ridden telco's revenue.

With PTIiInputs