Bharti Airtel has awarded a contract to Nokia and Qualcomm to drive the expansion of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Wi-Fi solutions, bringing high-speed internet connectivity to millions across India. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by providing superior broadband services in areas where fiber connectivity is limited or difficult to deploy.
Nokia’s Role in Airtel’s 5G FWA Deployment
As part of the agreement, Nokia will supply Airtel with its 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) outdoor gateway receiver and Wi-Fi 6 Access Point, both powered by Qualcomm’s Modem-RF and Wi-Fi 6 chipsets. This technology will enable Airtel to offer high-speed wireless broadband, ensuring reliable internet access in underserved areas. Given India’s low fiber penetration and growing demand for digital services, 5G FWA is emerging as a game-changing solution for nationwide broadband expansion.
FastMile 5G Outdoor Receivers for Cost-Effective Connectivity
Airtel will deploy Nokia’s FastMile 5G outdoor receivers, designed for multi-dwelling units. These receivers can serve two households simultaneously, significantly reducing connection costs. The high-gain antennas in the FastMile receivers improve broadband access over long distances, while advanced radio resource management enhances network efficiency. Additionally, the receivers support Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology, allowing for easy installation on walls, balconies, or poles, making deployment seamless for consumers.
Enhancing In-Home Connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 Solutions
To further elevate the home broadband experience, Airtel will integrate Nokia’s Wi-Fi 6 access points within residences. Featuring intelligent mesh technology and self-optimizing network capabilities, these access points will provide seamless and high-speed connectivity across entire homes, ensuring uninterrupted internet access for users.
‘Make in India’ Initiative and Sustainable Packaging
In line with India’s local manufacturing initiatives, Nokia’s 5G FWA and Wi-Fi 6 devices will be produced domestically. Moreover, these products will be packaged using 100% recyclable materials, reinforcing Airtel and Nokia’s commitment to sustainability.
Randeep Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel, said: “This collaboration with Nokia and Qualcomm underscores our dedication to delivering an exceptional network experience for our customers. We are confident that Nokia’s 5G Fixed Wireless Access and Wi-Fi 6 Access Point solutions will help provide high-speed internet to underserved areas and fulfil the need of a superior and uninterrupted broadband experience.”
Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks, Nokia, said: “India’s vast size and population density presents unique challenges for broadband connectivity. In those communities where fiber is difficult to deploy, FWA can be used to provide reliable wireless broadband connectivity. With our 5G FWA and Wi-Fi 6 solutions built in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Bharti Airtel will be able to provide customers with fiber-like speeds which are becoming essential in today’s digital economy. We look forward to supporting Bharti Airtel in its vision to connect more communities to high-speed broadband access.”
“We are excited to be part of this new generation of products by Bharti Airtel and Nokia which are designed to deliver optimized performance, coverage, and user experiences. 5G FWA combined with Wi-Fi 6 access point is ideal for connecting the unconnected, making it an extremely versatile solution for Indian homes and businesses,” said Rahul Patel, Group General Manager, Connectivity, Broadband & Networking, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Strengthening Airtel-Nokia Partnership for 4G & 5G Expansion
Nokia has been a long-standing partner for Airtel, supplying essential network equipment for its 4G and 5G infrastructure. Recently, Airtel extended its contract with Nokia to continue deploying 4G and 5G equipment across key Indian cities and states, further solidifying their collaboration in India’s telecom revolution.
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