Finland’s Nokia is in talks with Bharti Airtel about securing a multi-billion greenback contract to supply 5G telecom tools for the Indian cellular operator which is increasing its community, three sources conversant in the matter mentioned.

Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson already received a multi-billion greenback contract from Bharti Airtel, Reuters reported on Monday.

India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market the place corporations similar to Airtel, Reliance’s Jio and Vodafone Idea have been spending billions of {dollars} to improve their networks to 5G.

Their orders final yr had helped Nokia and Ericsson offset weak point in demand from US prospects. Nonetheless, the quantity of orders from India has slowed down considerably after a development spurt final yr.

The take care of Airtel could be for Nokia’s newest AirScale cellular radios that assist upgrading an current community to 5G-Superior and reduces vitality prices, in response to the sources.

Nokia declined to remark. Bharti Airtel didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

One of many sources referred to as the potential Nokia deal a “routine and ongoing association” with community vendor companions.

Nokia will report its third-quarter earnings on Thursday. Within the second quarter, Nokia reported an 18 % drop in internet gross sales, primarily due to slowdown in demand in India.

Alongside Nokia and Ericsson, Airtel can be in talks with Samsung about shopping for 5G tools, one other supply mentioned.

Samsung has been attempting to develop its community tools enterprise, however has to this point lagged Nokia and Ericsson. Samsung received its first 5G contract with Airtel in 2022. India has blocked its cellular carriers from utilizing 5G telecom tools made by China’s Huawei.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

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