Bharti Airtel and Ericsson have strengthened their long-standing partnership by signing a multi-year Network Operations Center (NOC) Managed Services agreement. This new deal entrusts Ericsson with the responsibility of managing Airtel’s extensive pan-India network operations. The scope of this agreement encompasses a wide range of technologies and network segments, including 4G, 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) and SA (Standalone), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Private Networks, and Network Slicing. The collaboration aims to leverage Ericsson’s advanced NOC capabilities to optimize and scale Airtel’s network services across India.

Under this agreement, Ericsson will use its state-of-the-art NOC facilities to oversee and maintain the network operations, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced performance nationwide. The company emphasized that the partnership will enable it to scale critical technologies like FWA and Network Slicing, which are essential for meeting diverse consumer demands and enabling new digital services. Network Slicing, for instance, allows Airtel to create multiple virtual networks within a single physical 5G network, offering tailored connectivity solutions for different industries and applications.

Airtel’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Randeep Sekhon, expressed enthusiasm about the enhanced collaboration, highlighting the goal of building a “future-ready network” that delivers exceptional experiences for customers. He stressed the importance of embracing innovative technologies to meet the rapidly growing data consumption and connectivity requirements in India’s digitally connected landscape. Sekhon sees the partnership with Ericsson as a crucial step toward this vision, enabling Airtel to maintain its competitive edge and leadership in the telecom sector.

From Ericsson’s side, Andres Vicente, Head of Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India, underscored the strategic significance of the deal. He noted that this milestone agreement reaffirms Ericsson’s commitment to supporting Airtel in providing top-tier network experiences to its customers. Vicente highlighted the use of “Intent-Based NOC Operations,” a modern network management approach that allows for greater service diversification and flexibility. By deploying this technology, Ericsson aims to help Airtel unlock new revenue streams and cater to evolving customer needs through more customized service offerings.

The new contract further solidifies the relationship between the two companies, which spans over 25 years. This extensive history of cooperation has included multiple technology deployments and collaborations, notably their recent joint efforts on 5G Core technology. That partnership was instrumental in supporting Airtel’s rollout of 5G services, positioning the company as a frontrunner in India’s next-generation mobile connectivity.

The agreement with Ericsson is expected to help Airtel manage its growing network complexity more efficiently, reduce operational costs, and improve service reliability. Given the rapid expansion of 5G services and the increasing demand for high-speed data connectivity in India, such a partnership is crucial for telecom operators aiming to deliver consistent, high-quality customer experiences.

As of the day of the announcement, Bharti Airtel’s shares were trading at ₹1,866.00, slightly down by ₹4.20 or 0.22%. This modest dip did not overshadow the strategic importance of the deal, which reflects Airtel’s forward-looking approach to network management and technology adoption.

In summary, the multi-year NOC Managed Services agreement between Bharti Airtel and Ericsson marks a significant step in enhancing the operational efficiency and technological capabilities of one of India’s largest telecom networks. It leverages Ericsson’s cutting-edge NOC infrastructure and innovative management techniques to scale key network segments such as FWA and Network Slicing. This collaboration aims to meet India’s growing digital demands by building a future-ready network that offers exceptional customer experiences while enabling Airtel to diversify its services and unlock new business opportunities. The deal also builds on a quarter-century of partnership, highlighting the mutual trust and strategic alignment between Airtel and Ericsson as they drive India’s telecommunications landscape into the future.