Nokia announced on Thursday that it has signed a three-year deal with Indian telco Vodafone Idea to enhance and expand its IP backhaul network with IP/MPLS solutions across multiple telecom circles in India to boost 4G and 5G network performance.
Vodafone Idea aims to densify its network with more IP routers and replace its legacy networks, with the goal of lowering operational costs and enabling faster deployment and seamless scalability for future technologies, thus ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective network infrastructure.
Under the agreement, Nokia will supply its latest portfolio of IP/MPLS products, including the 7750 SR and 7250 IXR series, to modernize the core, aggregation and access layers of Vodafone Idea’s transport network.
Nokia said this will give Vodafone Idea a robust, scalable and future ready network that can handle increasing data traffic from emerging data-hungry services like AI and immersive gaming, as well as the continued need for business video conferencing and access to digital services.
The deployment also integrates advanced planning, design, installation, and migration services, supported by automation-based documentation, Nokia said. No financial details were disclosed.
Vodafone Idea CTO Jagbir Singh said the upgraded network will address growing demand for high-capacity and resilient connectivity while ensuring sustainability through reduced opex and energy-efficient solutions.
“The state-of-the-art solutions from Nokia and their proven deployment capabilities will enable us to build a future ready transport network,” he said in a statement.
The news comes five months after Nokia landed a network contract (reportedly worth US$1.6 billion) in October 2024 to modernise and expand Vodafone Idea’s 4G network – to include 5G upgrades – over the next three years.
