Samsung Electronics has been selected by Airtel to deploy 5G network in India. The agreement means that Samsung will be providing the Indian operator 5G hardware and solutions to kickstart the next-gen cellular generation later this month.
Airtel has bought 19,867 MHz of spectrums in 5 bands at a recently concluded 5G spectrum auction in India. It spent a mammoth Rs 43,084 crores (INC) for the total frequencies. The telco giant now boasts a versatile range of mmWave mid-band and low band frequencies to provide a great combination of 5G speed and coverage.
And Samsung has been chosen to help the telco reach pan-India coverage gradually. Both companies will now work together to deploy 5G hardware in various sites across India to expand Airtel 5G.
Besides Samsung, Airtel has also signed agreements with Nokia, and Ericcson in the bid to expedite the 5G launch soon.
Samsung and Airtel partner to deploy 5G in India
“Airtel is well poised to lead India’s 5G revolution. Samsung will be a key partner for us in this journey as we strive to deliver the best-in-class 5G experience to our customers riding on our low latency and ultra-high speeds handling capabilities,” Gopal Mittal, MD and CEO of Airtel stated.
After the auction, the company claimed to offer the best 5G network in India with both speed and coverage capacity. Last year, the telco achieved a delightful 1 Gbps downlink in its tests when 5G trials began in India. Meanwhile, 5G is reportedly capable of providing 10 times more speed compared to 4G and low latency.
Read our post: 4G vs. 5G: Differences Between Two Mobile Networks
Likewise, Samsung shared similar enthusiasm as it seeks to stamp authority in the Indian telecom market.
“5G will have a powerful impact on India’s consumers and businesses -taking mobile experiences to a new level, introducing a gamut of enhanced capabilities, and expanding what is possible. As a global leader in 5G, Samsung is excited to embark on this 5G journey with Airtel to deliver innovative solutions that will help advance India’s entrepreneurial spirit and open up a new paradigm for the country,” Paul Cheun, President and Head of Networks Business of Samsung shared.
Samsung which occupies a large market presence in the Indian telecom industry can now elevate to greater relevancy after the deal with Airtel. As per the deal, Samsung will provide Airtel radio units, including Massive MIMO radios. It will also be responsible for the deployment, organization, and maintenance of the 5G infrastructures.
It is the first time Samsung is expecting to demonstrate its leadership 4G/5G network in India.
Also see: 5G Users to Exceed 1 Billion in 2022, India to Add 30 MN
Samsung leading the charge in 5G deployment
Samsung is already a key player in 5G development and is expanding its footprint across the globe. The company has already deployed a 5G network under Tier One Operators in North America, Asia, and Europe. Now, it is on the brink to contribute to India’s digital transformation and usher India into the 5G era.
India is the second largest telecom market and Samsung will be more than happy to join hands with the leading telco to lead the 5G race.
Airtel is expected to launch the 5G network commercially later this month, in August, ahead of its competitors, just a few weeks after acquiring spectrums.
Who do you think will come on top in the 5G race in India? Do share what you think in the comments below.
