Nokia Networks set to deploy LTE infrastructure for Vodafone in three circles
Finnish telecom equipment provider Nokia Networks reportedly was awarded a three-year contract to provide LTE network infrastructure for Indian mobile operator Vodafone in three telecoms circles, The Times of India reports.
Under terms of the contract, Nokia Networks will deploy LTE network infrastructure in Mumbai, Kolkata and Punjab. According to the report, the Finnish company will initially deploy limited LTE sites in these three telecoms circles.
Vodafone India recently announced the commercial launch of its FDD-LTE networks in Kochi and Kerala using spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. Vodafone’s goal is to launch LTE services in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata by March 2016, according to previous reports. In Punjab, the telco plans to offers LTE using spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, which it obtained in the February 2014 auction.
Vodafone India is a fully owned subsidiary of Vodafone Group and launched operations in the Asian nation in 2007. The telco currently serves approximately 188 million subscribers across India.
Rival operators Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular already offer LTE services, while Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharat Sanchar Nigam plan to launch LTE services in the coming months.
According to IDC, India is forecast to end 2016 with 14 million LTE customers.
Reliance Jio to launch LTE-ready mobile phones soon
In related news, Reliance Jio Infocomm is looking to launch LTE-ready mobile phones under the Lyf brand in the coming weeks.
Reliance Digital, the company’s retail unit responsible for the launch of the new mobile phones, expects to launch four device series — Earth, Water, Wind and Flame, which are being manufactured by firms Intex and Micromax.
On Dec. 29, Reliance Jio launched LTE services for its employees and friends.
According to recent reports, the company is looking to launch commercial LTE services in April or May using spectrum in the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands. Reliance has had a pan-India LTE license in the 2300 MHz band since 2010.
