UPDATE Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. has chosen Ericsson and Nokia to deploy a 5G Standalone (SA) network across India. The selection of the OEMs follows the conclusion of the 5G spectrum auction in early August where Jio spent $11 billion on spectrum in the low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz), mid (1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz) and high (26 GHz) frequency bands.
The 5G partnership is the first agreement between Jio and Ericsson; however, the OEM has provided 2G, 3G and 4G technology in the country. The 5G RAN products to be deployed in the network will include the Ericsson Radio System portfolio and E-band microwave mobile transport solutions.
Under the Nokia contract, the OEM will supply its AirScale portfolio, including base stations, Massive MIMO antennas, and Remote Radio Heads to support different spectrum bands, and self-organizing network software. The SA network will enable Reliance Jio to deliver advanced 5G services such as massive machine-to-machine communications, network slicing, and ultra-low-latency.
Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung Get 5G Network Nod from Bharti Airtel
In August, Inside Towers reported that Bharti Airtel, another Indian MNO that won 5G spectrum at auction, will deploy 5G network equipment from Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung. The news of Jio and Bharti Airtel having awarded 5G equipment deals to Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung effectively shuts Huawei and ZTE out of the Indian 5G market, according to ETTelecom.
Airtel has had a long-standing relationship with Ericsson and Nokia while the relationship with Samsung just began this year. Its equipment strategy contrasts with Reliance Jio’s approach, which is reportedly to use a network that is designed and built in India.
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