Airtel, Nokia, and Qualcomm Join Forces to Bring High-Speed Internet to Underserved Indian Regions

Bharti Airtel has partnered with Nokia and Qualcomm to boost its 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Wi-Fi solutions, aiming to broaden high-speed internet access throughout India. This collaboration builds on Nokia's existing role as a trusted network equipment provider for Airtel, with a recent contract extension to deploy 4G and 5G equipment in key Indian regions.

Nokia will supply Airtel with its 5G FWA outdoor gateway receiver and Wi-Fi 6 Access Point, both featuring Qualcomm's Modem-RF and Wi-Fi 6 chipsets. This initiative targets areas where traditional fiber connectivity is limited or challenging to install, leveraging 5G technology to provide broadband services.

Bharti Airtel's Major Collaboration with Nokia and Qualcomm

Deployment of Advanced Equipment

Airtel plans to use Nokia's FastMile 5G outdoor receivers designed for multi-dwelling units, which can serve two households simultaneously. These receivers are equipped with high-gain antennas for improved broadband access over longer distances and utilise Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) for easy installation on surfaces like walls, balconies, or poles.

Inside homes, Airtel intends to install Nokia's Wi-Fi 6 access points to enhance the user experience. These devices offer features such as intelligent mesh networking and self-optimisation, ensuring comprehensive and high-quality internet coverage. Both the 5G FWA devices and Wi-Fi 6 access points will be manufactured in India using fully recyclable packaging materials.

Commitment to Connectivity

Randeep Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel, stated: "This collaboration with Nokia and Qualcomm highlights our commitment to providing an outstanding network experience for our customers. We believe that Nokia's 5G Fixed Wireless Access and Wi-Fi 6 Access Point solutions will play a crucial role in delivering high-speed internet to underserved regions and meeting the demand for a seamless and superior broadband experience."

Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia, commented: "India's vast size and population density create unique challenges for broadband connectivity. In areas where deploying fiber is difficult, FWA can offer reliable wireless broadband access. Through our 5G FWA and Wi-Fi 6 solutions, developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Bharti Airtel can deliver fiber-like speeds, which are increasingly essential in today's digital economy. We are excited to support Bharti Airtel in its mission to connect more communities with high-speed broadband."

Bridging the Connectivity Gap

Rahul Patel from Qualcomm Technologies expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "We are thrilled to be part of this new generation of products by Bharti Airtel and Nokia, designed to deliver optimized performance, expanded coverage, and enhanced user experiences. The combination of 5G FWA and Wi-Fi 6 access points is a powerful solution for bridging the connectivity gap, making it an ideal choice for Indian homes and businesses."

This partnership aims to address India's challenge with low fiber penetration alongside high digital service demand by leveraging the capabilities of advanced technology. By focusing on innovative solutions like these, Bharti Airtel seeks to expand its reach across underserved regions while maintaining sustainability through local manufacturing practices.