Bharti Airtel has entered into a strategic partnership with Nokia and Qualcomm to accelerate the expansion of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Wi-Fi solutions across India, aiming to provide high-speed internet connectivity.
Airtel earlier indicated that it FY25 India capex will be lower than FY2024’s Capex of INR330 billion. For the first-nine months of fiscal 2025, Airtel India’s Capex was INR 199 billion. Airtel management expects Capex to further unwind in FY26. Going ahead, the priorities for capex would be on investments in the transport layer, Home Broadband, data center and B2B.
This collaboration is set to bridge connectivity gaps in areas where fiber broadband deployment remains challenging, leveraging wireless technology to enhance digital access. By integrating Nokia’s 5G FWA outdoor gateway receiver and Wi-Fi 6 Access Point powered by Qualcomm’s Modem-RF and Wi-Fi 6 chipsets, Airtel is taking a significant step toward ensuring a seamless and high-speed broadband experience for its users.
The rollout of 5G-based fixed wireless broadband is a critical move in India, a country where fiber penetration remains relatively low despite a rapidly growing demand for reliable and high-speed internet services.
This initiative allows Airtel to deliver broadband services in regions that lack fiber infrastructure, extending connectivity to underserved areas and addressing the increasing need for robust digital solutions.
Nokia’s FastMile 5G outdoor receivers, which are optimized for multi-dwelling units and capable of serving two households simultaneously, will be a key component of the deployment. These receivers feature high-gain antennas designed to improve broadband access over long distances while efficiently managing radio frequency resources. Additionally, their Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capabilities ensure easy installation on a variety of surfaces, including walls, balconies, and poles, enhancing the flexibility of deployment in different environments.
To further improve the user experience within homes, Airtel will also deploy Nokia’s Wi-Fi 6 Access Point, which integrates intelligent mesh networking and self-optimizing capabilities. This advanced Wi-Fi solution will provide customers with uninterrupted high-speed connectivity throughout their homes, ensuring a seamless and consistent broadband experience.
As a part of Airtel’s sustainability commitment, Nokia’s 5G FWA and Wi-Fi 6 devices will be manufactured in India and packaged in fully recyclable materials, reinforcing an eco-friendly approach to technological advancement.
Randeep Sekhon, Chief Technology Officer of Bharti Airtel, emphasized the significance of this collaboration in enhancing network capabilities and customer experience. He stated that Nokia’s 5G FWA and Wi-Fi 6 solutions will play a crucial role in delivering high-speed internet to underserved areas, fulfilling the growing demand for superior broadband connectivity.
Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia, highlighted India’s geographical and demographic challenges in broadband deployment. She pointed out that in locations where fiber connectivity is not feasible, FWA technology can provide a reliable alternative, offering fiber-like speeds essential for India’s evolving digital economy.
Rahul Patel, Group General Manager for Connectivity, Broadband & Networking at Qualcomm Technologies, noted that 5G FWA combined with Wi-Fi 6 presents an ideal solution for connecting the unconnected. He emphasized that this next-generation technology will offer optimized performance, broader coverage, and improved user experiences, making it a versatile connectivity option for Indian households and businesses.
Recently, Airtel extended its agreement with Nokia for deploying 4G and 5G equipment across major Indian cities and states.
