Wireless Networks

Major vendors score contracts with Indian number three

The third largest operator in India has awarded two contracts, each worth $1 billion, to two of the world’s largest vendors...

The third largest operator in India has awarded two contracts, each worth $1 billion, to two of the world’s largest vendors. Reliance Communications has commissioned Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent for managed services agreements covering the next eight years, and between them will cover the majority of the country.

The Alcatel-Lucent deal covers the East and South of India, and is aimed at providing “world-class, seamless voice and data communications services.” While the agreement is not the first time that the two firms have worked together, it does constitute India’s first end-to-end managed services agreement.

The deal involves the merging of the Reliance wireless and fixed teams to allow for more streamlined network management. In addition, best practices will be brought in line with one standard across the operation.

Meanwhile, the Ericsson agreement will cover North and West India, including the major cities of Delhi and Mumbai. The Swedish vendor will assume responsibility for managing the operator’s 2G, 3G and CDMA networks, including planning and support, and will also be joined by 5000 employees from Rcom.



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