Bharti Airtel signs MoU with Nokia Siemens

Mumbai July 3: India's leading telecom player Bharti Airtel Limited today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth USD 900 million with Finland-based equipment dealer Nokia Siemens for end to end network expansion.

In the first multi platform network contract of its kind to be awarded in India, Nokia Siemens Networks will expand Airtel's GSM network in eight telecom circles, its National Long Distance and international Long Distance network with 1.8 million Next Generation Network (NGN) ports. The GSM and NGN expansions are planned over two years and the International calling cards expansion over three years.

The MoU was signed between Mr. Manoj Kohli, President and CEO of Bharti Airtel, and Mr. Simon Beresford Wylie, CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Kohli said, ''Nokia Siemens Networks with its industry leading product portfolio and strong services capabilities is the strategic partner for Bharti Airtel to deliver on its vision of world class telecom services to its customers.'' The contract also includes network planning, implementation and project management, handling of local logistics and materials as well as system integration for the base station sites.

UNI