Nokia, having secured a new equipment deal with Vodafone Idea (Vi), is set to accelerate the expansion of Vi's network.
The company revealed that it will roll out nearly 3,300 additional sites by March 2025, boosting Vi's 4G coverage in critical regions with advanced baseband and radio modules.
Nokia has also announced plans to upgrade over 42,000 technology sites and expand more than 25,000 spectrum areas within Vi's network, which will enhance bandwidth and data capacity. To date, 100% of the spectrum expansions, nearly 40% of the technology upgrades, and 15% of the new sites have been completed.
Related: Nokia Partners with Vodafone Idea to Enhance 4G and 5G Networks Across India
In addition, Nokia is deploying ultra-lean sites for Vi to meet hot spot coverage needs and improve user experience in specific locations based on market demand. Looking ahead, Nokia expects Vi to focus on further expanding coverage and capacity in 2025, particularly in increasing data capabilities and extending network reach into rural and underserved areas.
Vi's Chief Technology Officer, Jagbir Singh, emphasized that the company is collaborating closely with Nokia to extend its 4G network coverage, targeting an additional 20 million people by March 2025. This expansion is also expected to enhance network capacity by 25%, improving the overall customer experience in nine of the operator’s 17 priority circles.
Also Read: Vodafone Idea Achieves 5G Rollout Milestones, Eyes Full Launch Soon
Tarun Chhabra, Senior Vice President and Country Head of Nokia (India), said, "As a long-standing strategic partner of Vi, we are proud to support their LTE network expansion and modernization across Nokia-supplied circles. This upgrade will enhance mobile experiences for millions of Vi customers while laying the foundation for a seamless transition to 5G technology."
Vi has finalized contracts worth USD 3.6 billion (approx. INR 30,000 crore) with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung, for a three-year 4G modernization and 5G deployment program. The initiative will expand 4G coverage to 1.2 billion people and support the rollout of 5G in key markets.
The company plans to enhance its 4G network and launch 5G in major cities across its 17 priority circles by March 2025.
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