Bharti Airtel has signed a contract with data networking and telecom equipment company Nokia Networks, a subsidiary of Nokia Corporation, to enhance its 3G network in Mumbai, West Bengal and Bihar telecom circles. Nokia’s Single RAN (radio access network) Advanced platform will be utilized for this purpose. As part of the deal, a dual band, dual carrier 3G network will be set up at Mumbai, refarming 900 MHz to complement the city’s existing 3G network on 2100 MHz. This is expected to enable higher throughput and thus improved 3G services for Bharti Airtel’s customers. Nokia Networks’ multi-standard radio platform, the Single RAN Advanced platform is also expected to support Bharti Airtel in its TD-LTE rollout and create the network required for possible FDD-LTE rollout later. Nokia’s network management system NetAct will enable effective monitoring and management of Airtel’s network and also provide services such as network planning and optimization, network implementation, network operations, and care services including hardware and software maintenance as well as competence development. As of now, Airtel already offers 4G services on 2,300 MHz band using TDD LTE technology, but this tie-up with Nokia will provide for an enhanced surfing experience on Airtel-enabled handsets. Recent developments - Airtel recently tied up with the Government of Telangana to provide Wi-Fi hotspots in Hyderabad, 17 of which have already been launched on a pilot basis. - Bharti Airtel Hong Kong launched Airtel Talk in October, which allows international calls to India, free calls from Airtel Talk to Airtel Talk,…
