Nokia and Airtel Partner to Enhance Pan-Indian Multi-Terabit Optical Network

Highlights

• Nokia collaborates with Bharti Airtel to upgrade India’s optical transport network.
• Implementation of Nokia’s 1830 PSS-x OTN switches in Airtel’s National Long-Distance Network.
• Upgrades aimed at supporting the launch of 5G and broadband connectivity across India.
• Enhanced network capacity and efficiency to benefit Airtel’s customer services.

Nokia has recently struck a deal with Bharti Ltd (Airtel) to enhance Airtel’s optical transport network across India.

This collaboration aims to provide more robust, cost-effective, and reliable services for Airtel’s customers, especially in light of the upcoming 5G network rollout and the increasing need for widespread broadband connectivity.

Under this agreement, Airtel will integrate Nokia’s 1830 PSS-x OTN (Optical Transport Network) switches into its National Long-Distance Network.

This network interconnects major cities throughout India, and the integration of Nokia’s technology is expected to significantly bolster its capacity and performance.

The advent of 5G and the push for enhanced broadband services in India have placed new demands on Communication Service Providers (CSPs).

These include the need for more robust backhaul transport to support the denser 5G mobile networks, as well as enhanced connectivity for emerging sectors like smart grids, datacenter interconnects (DCI), and various other business services.

To meet the growing traffic demands, an upgrade of the transport networks is essential.

The focus will be on augmenting overall transport capacity and bandwidth efficiency, utilizing high-capacity OTN switching, and incorporating additional spectrum capabilities, such as L-band wavelengths in fiber optics.

This upgrade in capacity is crucial for Bharti Airtel, as it enables the provider to offer quicker and more dependable broadband services, while also preparing the network for future technology applications and demands.

Nokia’s OTN solution is set to play a pivotal role in transitioning Bharti Airtel’s existing transport switching infrastructure across its network in India.

This upgrade is expected to not only meet the rising traffic demands but also enhance both the performance and reliability of Airtel’s network infrastructure.

FAQs

What is the significance of the Nokia and Airtel partnership?

Nokia has entered into an agreement with Bharti Airtel to upgrade Airtel’s optical transport network across India. This partnership is significant as it aims to enhance network capacity, reliability, and cost-efficiency, crucial for the upcoming 5G rollout and expanding broadband services in the country.

How will Nokia’s technology contribute to Airtel’s network?

Nokia will provide its 1830 PSS-x OTN (Optical Transport Network) switches for Airtel’s National Long-Distance Network. This technology is expected to improve network capacity and efficiency, enabling Airtel to handle the increased demand for data and connectivity, particularly in major cities across India.

What are the expected benefits of this network upgrade for Airtel’s customers?

The upgrade to Airtel’s optical transport network, powered by Nokia’s technology, is anticipated to offer customers faster, more reliable broadband services. This is particularly relevant with the impending 5G network launch, as it will ensure that Airtel’s infrastructure can support new and more demanding use cases.