Telecom Giant Reliance Jio enters into contract with Nokia, Ericsson to install 5G gears
Reliance Jio and European telecom gear manufacturers Nokia and Ericsson have entered into a multi-year supply contract for distributing 5G network equipment
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India’s largest telecom carrier Reliance Jio and European telecom gear manufacturers Nokia and Ericsson have entered into a multi-year supply contract for distributing 5G network equipment, which will help Jio deploy standalone or 5G SA, they said in separate statements on Monday.
Finnish telecom supplier Nokia said it will provide 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment from its Air Scale portfolio including base stations, high capacity 5G Massive MIMO antennas, and Remote Radio Heads (RRH) to support various spectrum bands, and self-organizing network software.
Reliance Jio further added that it targets to deploy a 5G standalone network which will interwork with its 4G network. The network will enable Reliance Jio to deliver advanced 5G services such as massive machine-to-machine communications, network slicing, and ultra-low latency.
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“This is a significant win for Nokia in an important market and a new customer with one of the largest RAN footprints in the world.” Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO at Nokia, said,
On the other hand, Swedish supplier Ericsson said that its long-term strategic 5G contract with Reliance will include the installation of its energy-efficient 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products and solutions from Ericsson’s portfolio and E-band microwave mobile transport solutions which will be deployed in the 5G network for Jio.
Börje Ekholm, president and CEO of Ericsson, said, “India is constructing world-class digital infrastructure that will create innovation, job creation and entrepreneurship across the country. We are happy to announce our partnership with Jio in those ambitions, through Ericsson 5G Standalone connectivity, which will be a major catalyst in achieving those digital transformation goals across society, enterprise and industry.”
Following the deals, both Nokia and Ericsson are committed to supplying to India’s three largest mobile operators including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. In the meantime, Vodafone Idea’s 5G stratagem is awaited, while, both Airtel and Jio have asserted that they will provide pan-India 5G coverage by 2024.
