Nokia and Bharti Airtel’s first trial of 5G non-standalone technology in India achieved over 1.2 Gbps data throughput on Airtel’s commercial network. The trial used the 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G, leveraging Nokia’s RAN software and advanced virtualization.
Bharti Airtel and Dialog Axiata have unveiled a fusion plan for their operations in Sri Lanka. The anticipated benefits of this combination include tapping into economies of scale, reducing infrastructure redundancy, drawing from technology and capital synergies, and fostering broadband connectivity advancements.
In a strategic move to meet the escalating demands of the 5G era and burgeoning broadband connectivity in India, Nokia has joined forces with Bharti Airtel for a significant overhaul of the optical network infrastructure. The project aims to deliver ‘massive capacity,’ enhanced reliability, and cost efficiency for enterprises, operators, and hyperscalers in the region.
In a remarkable stride, Bharti Airtel has connected over 20 million IoT devices via its B2B branch, Airtel Business, amid India’s 5G evolution. This permits a vast assortment of IoT features offered through multiple connectivity mediums. Major deals have propelled Airtel to surpass a key milestone. Moreover, the Airtel IoT platform facilitates enterprises to manage their IoT connections via the Airtel IoT Hub.
American Tower Corporation has completed the sale of its Indian operations to Data Infrastructure Trust for INR 210 billion ($2.5 billion). This significant move enhances DIT’s portfolio to 257,000 telecom sites, surpassing Indus Tower.
Sparkle, an international service provider, and Airtel Business have partnered to enhance VoIP connectivity between Asia and Europe via the Blue & Raman Submarine Cable Systems. This strategic agreement promises to diversify and expand global network capacity, catering to increasing data demands and ensuring seamless VoIP services for businesses and consumers.
Bharti Airtel is re-farming its mid-band spectrum to handle increased 5G network traffic. By reallocating spectrum from 4G services, Airtel aims to support growing 5G demands. This strategic move enhances both Standalone and Non-Standalone 5G modes, offering better connectivity and paving the way for innovative VoIP solutions across India.
India’s recent 5G spectrum auction concluded with disappointing results, generating significantly less revenue than anticipated. The auction ended after only seven rounds, raising INR113 billion ($1.35 billion), a stark contrast to the INR960 billion ($11.49 billion) reserve price set by the government.
Indonesian telecommunications giant Axiata and conglomerate Sinar Mas are in talks to explore merging their respective operations in Indonesia. The potential merger would involve combining XL Axiata, owned by Axiata, with Smartfren, the mobile network subsidiary of Sinar Mas.
Reports this week indicate that the Indian government is expected to postpone spectrum allocations for satellite broadband providers by four to six months, awaiting clarity following the ongoing general elections. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly holding off on final decisions until after the election results are announced on June 4.
