Nokia has inked a deal with Vodafone Idea (Vi) to revamp the telecom giant’s optical transmission network across India, aiming to turbocharge its 4G and 5G services. Announced on Monday, the multi-year pact will see Nokia deploy its advanced AirScale portfolio, leveraging cutting-edge optical technology to enhance network capacity, speed, and reliability for Vi’s 240 million subscribers.
The upgrade targets Vi’s backbone infrastructure, replacing legacy systems with Nokia’s high-performance solutions, including the 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS). This shift promises seamless data flow across 4G and nascent 5G networks, critical as Vi battles to regain market share lost to rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. With India’s 5G rollout accelerating—over 100 million users by late 2024 per TRAI—Vi’s modernization is a bid to stay competitive in a data-hungry market.
Nokia’s technology will boost Vi’s optical network capacity to handle surging traffic, driven by video streaming, gaming, and enterprise demand. The deployment spans key circles, optimizing latency and paving the way for future 5G expansion. “This partnership strengthens our network backbone, ensuring superior customer experience,” said a Vi spokesperson, echoing Nokia India head Pragati Agrawal’s emphasis on “scalable, future-ready infrastructure.”
The move aligns with Vi’s broader revival strategy, buoyed by a ₹30,000 crore government-backed infusion in 2024. Facing a ₹2.1 lakh crore debt, Vi has leaned on such upgrades to stem subscriber churn—down from 255 million in 2022—while rolling out 5G in 17 circles by early 2025. Nokia, a long-time Vi partner, brings its global expertise, having powered 5G networks for 300 operators worldwide.
As India’s digital economy races toward a $1 trillion valuation by 2030, per MeitY estimates, this collaboration could reshape Vi’s fortunes, bridging the gap with Jio’s 450 million users and Airtel’s 400 million. For now, Nokia’s optical boost signals Vi’s intent to reclaim its footing in India’s telecom turf war.