Bharti Airtel signed an agreement with Nokia Siemens Networks to expand its 2G (GSM/EDGE) networks and deploy 3G networks in seven African countries: Madagascar, Malawi, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Specifically, Nokia Siemens Networks will manage end-to-end network operations, including planning, designing and implementing the 2G and 3G networks for Airtel. The vendor will provide its energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Stations* to expand network coverage to under-served areas, including smaller towns and villages in the seven countries.
Nokia Siemens Networks noted that with these new operators, it now supplies 3G access products to over 200 mobile operators — more than any other vendor. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com/
- In July 2011, Ericsson announced a five year managed services agreement with Bharti Airtel for upgrading, optimizing and managing its mobile networks in Africa. Financial terms were not disclosed.
- Bharti Airtel awarded a 10-year contract to IBM to provide IT solutions to its employees across 16 African countries. In terms of the agreement, IBM will provide a standard operating environment, help desk and desk side support to enhance employee efficiency and convenience. The announcement builds on a strategic partnership signed in late 2010 to manage the computing technology and services to power Airtel’s mobile communications network spanning 16 African countries.
- In June 2010, India’s Bharti Airtel completed its previously announced acquisition of Zain’s mobile operations in 15 countries across Africa for an enterprise valuation of US$10.7 billion. The acquisition positions Airtel as one of the world’s top five mobile operators with 180 million customers, operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa. It’s network footprint covers over 1.8 billion people.
