Bharti Airtel has selected Ericsson’s core network to support its fixed wireless access rollout in India. The agreement focuses on expanding Airtel’s core capabilities and capacity for FWA, which aims to improve connectivity for users across the country. Ericsson provides a platform that handles high-capacity FWA with a reduced footprint and lower total cost of ownership.
The deal extends a prior dual-mode 5G core solution between the companies, which established a unified network for 5G standalone operations. Ericsson’s local packet gateway plays a central role in delivering performance and scalability for Airtel’s 5G FWA goals. This setup targets growing data demands and supports peak usage without disruptions.
The collaboration marks the latest chapter in a 25-year partnership that has spanned multiple mobile technology generations. Both companies commit to advancing India’s digital infrastructure through such initiatives. The move aligns with efforts to expand broadband access and reduce connectivity gaps nationwide.
- Agreement covers Ericsson’s core network portfolio for Airtel’s FWA services
- New platform supports high-capacity FWA with smaller hardware needs
- Builds on existing dual-mode 5G core for packet handling and standalone 5G
- Targets improved network quality, reliability, and data performance
- Focuses on scalability for rising customer demands and peak loads
“We are proud to continue our technology leadership journey with Airtel by enabling their next wave of 5G monetization through FWA,” says Andres Vicente, Head of Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, Ericsson.
- Bharti Airtel maintains a partnership with Ericsson that spans more than 25 years, starting from 2G networks and evolving through 3G, 4G, and now 5G technologies. Ericsson handles Airtel’s managed services across India and Africa, including network optimization and operations. This collaboration focuses on deploying radio access networks, core infrastructure, and solutions for emerging services like 5G standalone.
- Airtel and Ericsson announced several deals in 2025, including a February agreement for dual-mode 5G core deployment to support standalone operations. In June, Ericsson secured a multi-year contract to manage Airtel’s network operations center, enhancing efficiency. The July fixed wireless access core deal extends this trend, introducing Ericsson’s local packet gateway for higher capacity and lower costs. Ericsson also joined Airtel and Volvo Group in March for research on digital twins and extended reality over 5G advanced networks.
- As seen in a number of recent announcements, Airtel is pursuing broadband growth through fixed wireless access expansion and satellite partnerships in 2025. The company awarded contracts to Nokia and Qualcomm in February for 5G FWA devices to deliver high-speed internet nationwide. Airtel launched IPTV services in over 2,000 cities by May, bundling broadband with OTT platforms like Netflix and Apple TV. In March, Airtel signed a deal with SpaceX to introduce Starlink satellite broadband, targeting remote areas. Airtel added 3,300 towers and 13,600 mobile broadband stations in the fiscal fourth quarter ending March 2025 to boost coverage.
- Partnership began in the late 1990s with 2G deployments and expanded to Africa in 2011 for network management
- Ericsson supplies 4G and 5G radio access network equipment under a multi-billion dollar deal from December 2024
- Airtel’s broadband plans start at Rs 499 for up to 40 Mbps with unlimited data and OTT benefits as of July 2025
- Starlink collaboration aims to provide low-latency satellite internet, challenging traditional fiber infrastructure
- FWA initiatives target 5G speeds up to 1 Gbps in urban and rural markets to bridge connectivity gaps