Airtel expands urban & rural 4G network capacity; inks new contract with Ceragon

Bharti Airtel is looking to increase its network capacity to address the growing demand for broadband amidst a sharp rise in data consumption across India (mostly spurred by the lockdown). Airtel is also looking to increase 4G network capacity in urban areas and expand its coverage in rural regions as well as prepare for its future evolution to 5G.

These requirements have compelled Airtel to choose Ceragon Networks Ltd to pursue rapid deployment of its microwave radios, as best it can, considering India’s recent temporary lockdown.

Ceragon, being a wireless hauling specialist and a trusted service provider to Airtel, says that the network service provider has exploited its all-outdoor multicore solution and related services for the flexibility it offers for fast network deployment.

With Ceragon’s flexible wireless hauling solutions, using compact all-outdoor dual-carriers microwave radios, Airtel can quickly respond to surge in network capacity demands and prepare for long-term network capacity growth. In fact, it can do so faster than ever before and with less costly site acquisitions thanks to a significantly reduced environmental footprint and energy consumption. Additionally, Airtel can improve the efficiency of the scarce backhaul spectrum via Ceragon’s multicore technology with up to 1Gbps capacity. With Ceragon’s proven professional services for its network deployment across numerous markets, Airtel can roll-out hundreds of sites each week, indicates the press statement released by Ceragon.

“As an established strategic partner of Airtel for over a decade, Ceragon delivers innovative technology, products and services that enable us to achieve quick and dynamic network deployments”, said Randeep Sekhon, Chief Technology Officer of Airtel. “Ceragon’s wireless hauling solutions and services allow us to quickly adapt to our customers’ changing needs and deliver higher speeds with reliable, first-time-right rollouts.”

“Ceragon’s proven performance and reliability continue to make it’s multicore all-outdoor solutions and network rollout services the ideal, go-to-choice for operators worldwide who are looking to densify and expand their 4G networks, as well as evolve to 5G,” said Ira Palti, president and CEO of Ceragon. “The orders received are partially reflected in our Q1 results. Ceragon is committed to supporting Airtel during these challenging times, and as it continues to implement its long-term network development plan to gain market share across India."