30 Sept 2024
Vodafone Idea (Vi) will buy equipment over three years to expand its 4G network and roll out 5G in nine circles.
As per the ₹13,500 crore equipment deal, Nokia will provide Vi with a 5G AirScale Network gear portfolio and upgrade the company’s existing 4G network with multiband radios and baseband equipment to support 5G.
Vi recently announced its plans to buy ₹30,000 crore of 4G and 5G network gear from Nokia, Samsung, and Ericsson over the next three years to boost its 4G operations and roll out 5G in major cities in 17 priority circles.
As per the contract, Nokia will offer equipment for Vi in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Mumbai, Haryana, UP-East, UP-West, West Bengal, Kolkata and Tamil Nadu/Chennai markets.
Ericsson and Nokia will supply 45% of Vi’s 4G and 5G gears, while Samsung will offer 10%. Ericsson may receive nine circles - Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Northeast, and Assam. Samsung may get Bihar and Odisha. However, Ericsson and Samsung are vying for Delhi.