- Vodafone Idea (Vi) signs a three-year deal with Nokia to upgrade its IP backhaul network.
- The upgrade aims to enhance network capacity, energy efficiency, and pave the way for 5G deployment.
What happened: Vi Taps Nokia for major backhaul upgrade
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has signed a three-year deal with Nokia to upgrade its transport network in India. Vi will deploy Nokia’s 7750 Service Router (SR) and 7250 Interconnect Router (IXR) to enhance backhaul capacity and efficiency. Nokia will also provide managed services, including planning, design, installation, and migration.
The 7750 SR supports up to 230 Tbps full-duplex capacity and 800 Gigabit Ethernet, ensuring a scalable network, while the 7250 IXR enables multi-terabit interconnectivity across WANs, crucial for 4G expansion and 5G readiness.
Vi’s $6.6 billion investment aims to modernise its infrastructure following financial struggles. Its 4G capacity in Rajasthan has already increased by 36%, with 4,000 upgraded sites live.
Opensignal’s latest 4G network experience report ranked Vi first in six key categories, including download/upload speeds and video streaming, highlighting the impact of its strategic investments.
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Why it’s important
The Nokia-Vi partnership is a key step for Vi as it overcomes financial struggles. Nokia’s IP backhaul solutions will help Vi manage growing data traffic, improve efficiency, and enhance network densification while cutting costs, strengthening its position against Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
Backhaul upgrades are crucial for Vi’s long-term sustainability, as IP/MPLS-based infrastructure supports modern high-speed networks. This move boosts 4G capacity and lays the foundation for Vi’s 5G rollout.
The deal also highlights Nokia’s expanding role in India’s telecom sector. As data demand grows, such investments ensure a high-performance, future-ready network.
With a three-year rollout, this upgrade could be key to Vi’s recovery, helping rebuild customer confidence and expand its subscriber base.
