Airtel fast-tracks 5G future with Nokia in massive core network revamp across India

Bharti Airtel Limited, one of India’s largest integrated telecommunications providers, has announced an expanded collaboration with Finnish telecom equipment giant Nokia, aimed at accelerating its next-generation 5G service delivery across the country. The move, officially confirmed on April 2, 2025, represents a critical leap in Airtel’s long-term digital infrastructure strategy and underscores Nokia’s growing influence in India’s core network transformation. The partnership now covers the deployment of Nokia’s appliance-based Packet Core and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions that will unify Airtel’s 4G and 5G capabilities while significantly reducing operational complexity and cost.

As India positions itself as a global technology hub, telecom companies are being pushed to offer scalable, cost-efficient, and resilient network architecture. With mobile data demand skyrocketing—particularly with the rise of remote work, cloud gaming, and streaming—the imperative for robust 5G deployment has never been stronger. This renewed partnership responds to that challenge with an integrated and software-automated approach that makes Airtel’s network more agile, intelligent, and prepared for the future.

What are the core technologies behind this 5G collaboration?

At the centre of this alliance is Nokia’s converged Packet Core solution, which enables seamless integration of both 4G and 5G technologies into a common server infrastructure. The technology is not only hardware-agnostic but appliance-based, which gives Airtel the ability to deploy specific functions closer to users while reducing its overall hardware footprint. This is especially important for markets like India where scale, cost-efficiency, and latency are decisive factors in customer experience and profitability.

Furthermore, Bharti Airtel will leverage Nokia’s Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) capabilities to expand bandwidth availability for both residential broadband and enterprise-grade services. These include ultra-low-latency applications such as industrial automation, telemedicine, and real-time financial services. The collaboration also includes Nokia’s zero-touch automation framework for life cycle management and service orchestration, helping Airtel roll out new services faster while driving down operating expenditure.

Airtel’s Chief Technology Officer Randeep Sekhon indicated that Nokia’s architecture would bring critical enhancements to the network’s reliability and capacity, acknowledging the solution’s ability to meet the exponential rise in data consumption. According to the press note, Airtel’s aim is not only to prepare for standalone 5G (SA) readiness but also to simplify its network for long-term scalability.

Why is converged core architecture key to Airtel’s 5G strategy?

The telecom industry has gradually been moving away from hardware-dependent network models to more cloud-native, software-driven environments. Bharti Airtel’s adoption of Nokia’s converged Packet Core solution is aligned with this trend and reflects the growing demand for elastic and scalable network deployments.

In practical terms, converged architecture allows Bharti Airtel to reduce its cost per bit—one of the most crucial metrics in high-traffic telecom environments—by consolidating 4G and 5G into a single software-defined infrastructure. Additionally, it permits a more intelligent routing of data, better utilisation of bandwidth, and improved speed to market for new services.

Notably, the core network also supports other advanced functionalities such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE), Voice over New Radio (VoNR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and Unified Data Management (UDM). These capabilities are essential for seamless user experience and uninterrupted communication across different generations of mobile networks.

The integration of GenAI for service orchestration and assurance is another standout element in the multi-year deal. With autonomous networks becoming the next big evolution in telecom operations, Airtel is setting the stage for AI-assisted decision-making that can preemptively address issues, optimise traffic flow, and ensure near-zero downtime for critical services.

How does this partnership position Airtel in the competitive 5G market?

India’s 5G race has intensified over the past few years, with key players including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea investing billions in spectrum acquisition and network infrastructure. In such a competitive landscape, strategic technology partnerships can be the difference between market leadership and lag.

Bharti Airtel’s decision to double down on its long-standing relationship with Nokia—one that spans decades and includes several technology rollouts—signals a calculated bet on innovation and stability. By using Nokia’s modular, pre-integrated Packet Core systems, Airtel is likely to gain flexibility in tailoring services to diverse customer segments, from high-speed mobile internet users to rural broadband households and smart city initiatives.

For Nokia, the deal consolidates its footprint in one of the world’s largest telecom markets. As noted by Raghav Sahgal, President of Nokia’s Cloud and Network Services, Airtel’s use of its technology demonstrates Nokia’s leadership in the global core network space, not just within India. The partnership also serves as a proof point for Nokia’s broader strategy to enable open, scalable, and secure network solutions globally.

What does this mean for Airtel’s consumer and enterprise offerings?

From a customer experience standpoint, Bharti Airtel’s integration of Nokia’s FWA and Packet Core technologies promises to unlock faster, more reliable, and more adaptive services. For consumers, this means quicker app response times, improved video streaming quality, and more consistent connections during peak hours.

For enterprise clients, particularly those operating in data-intensive verticals like fintech, manufacturing, and healthtech, the benefits are even more pronounced. With a network backbone that can dynamically adjust to shifting demands, Airtel is better positioned to offer bespoke connectivity packages, edge computing solutions, and secure communications with low latency.

Additionally, Airtel’s automation strategy—powered by Nokia’s management and orchestration (MANO) tools—translates into faster provisioning, reduced human error, and better predictability in service delivery. This not only supports business continuity but also enhances Airtel’s appeal as a digital transformation partner for enterprise customers.

How are markets reacting to Airtel and Nokia’s strategic moves?

As of April 3, 2025, Bharti Airtel’s stock is trading at ₹1,748.00, reflecting a 0.38% gain from the previous session. Over the past quarter, its share price has risen by 9.33%, and over the past year, it has surged by an impressive 42.61%. With a market capitalisation of nearly ₹990,000 crore, Bharti Airtel continues to be one of the most valuable telecom players in India. The stock has received a consensus “Buy” rating from analysts, supported by strong fundamentals, increasing ARPU (average revenue per user), and continued network investments, such as this core network collaboration with Nokia.

Nokia Corporation, trading as an ADR on the New York Stock Exchange, is priced at $5.35, showing a modest 0.47% increase. Short-term forecasts suggest a slight uptrend, projecting a target of $5.38 by April 6, 2025. Recent strategic moves by Nokia, including its €14.8 million share buyback on April 2, highlight a commitment to capital return and confidence in future growth.

For investors, Bharti Airtel’s consistent growth and continued investments in cutting-edge network technology make it a solid “Buy” candidate, particularly for those bullish on India’s digital infrastructure. Nokia, on the other hand, may warrant a “Hold” recommendation in the near term as investors look for more substantial catalysts beyond incremental stock buybacks and current core deployments. However, the company’s expanding presence in major emerging markets, including India, suggests long-term potential as 5G adoption scales globally.

What’s next for Airtel as 5G scales across India?

With 5G networks already operational in major Indian cities and spectrum auctions completed, the next frontier lies in expanding coverage to rural areas, improving affordability, and launching new services that leverage 5G’s ultra-low latency and high capacity.

Bharti Airtel’s collaboration with Nokia equips it with the technological backbone to tackle these challenges effectively. Whether it’s through appliance-based Packet Core for cost savings or FWA for extending broadband reach, the operator is strategically positioning itself to lead India’s digital growth narrative.

As regulatory frameworks evolve and customer expectations continue to grow, Airtel’s focus on automation, convergence, and cloud-native design ensures it remains at the forefront of telecom transformation in India.

By future-proofing its network with Nokia’s next-gen solutions, Bharti Airtel isn’t just responding to current demand—it’s anticipating the digital needs of a billion-plus users in an increasingly connected future. Investors and customers alike will be watching closely as Airtel scales its capabilities in what could become one of the most consequential phases in India’s telecom evolution.