Global telco BhartiAirtel has signed a new, five-year deal with Ericsson. The telecom equipment giant will operate, maintain and provide services across 70 percent of Bharti Airtel's network in India.
In addition to the standard portfolio of managed services, Ericsson will also take responsibility for the intelligent network that manages BhartiAirtel's prepaid customer base. The initiative is in line with Airtel's commitment to ushering in the next level of user experience on wireless communications. BhartiAirtel will expand and extend the contract across 15 Indian markets for five years.
"With India emerging as the third largest internet market and a multi-fold growth in data traffic on the back of a rising number of smartphones, wireless networks need to be ready for the data revolution that has only just begun," said Sanjay Kapoor, CEO-India and South Asia, BhartiAirtel. "This unique multi-technology Managed Services partnership with Ericsson will help us focus on creating a compelling service proposition for our customers, as we look to ramp up our market access for next generation services on 3G and 4G."
Ericsson says it also will ensure effective management of operational expenditures and maximize efficiencies of scale while improving the overall quality of the network in these areas. The full suite of managed services will be rendered through a Global Network Operation Center and field operation activities spread throughout the country. The evolved managed services now incorporate the tools that Ericsson gained from its recent acquisitions of Optimi and Telcordia.
Ericsson will be required to manage equipment produced by other vendors, as well as its own and to draw on the experience, expertise and synergies it has gained from other similar engagements.
