Airtel signs $150 million network deal

Bharti Airtel Lanka, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, has signed a $150 million deal with global telecom major Huawei Technologies to manage its networks. Under the three-year deal, Huawei will deploy and manage Airtel's core network, nodes, cell sites and its 2G and 3G network solutions. The Chinese company will also provide telecom applications and software to Bharti Airtel.

Huawei's technology would reduce Bharti Airtel's total cost of ownership (TCO) and enhance its competitive edge. It would also help the company deploy its network faster and economically, Bharti Airtel said in a release here today.

Bharti Airtel was recently awarded the license to commence 2G and 3G mobile services in Sri Lanka. "Bharti Airtel is committed to creating a state-of-the-art mobile network and offering world-class and affordable 2G and 3G services to customers in Sri Lanka. Huawei has established credentials as a global company producing high quality products and solutions. We are delighted to be partnering Huawei in this endeavour of ours," Bharti Airtel Executive Director (International Operations & Managed Services) Sanjay Nandrajog said.