Bharti Airtel Supercharges 5G FWA Expansion with Ericsson’s Compact Core Technology
In a strategic alliance, Bharti Airtel adopts Ericsson’s next gen core infrastructure to enhance Fixed Wireless Access and accelerate its 5G standalone rollout.
Strengthening 5G Infrastructure: A Strategic Upgrade
Bharti Airtel and Ericsson have once again fortified their long-standing partnership with a fresh agreement centered on enhancing Airtel’s Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. The duo is integrating Ericsson’s latest Core network solution, designed to significantly upgrade capacity, reliability, and cost efficiency across India.
This partnership not only reinforces Airtel’s commitment to a unified 5G Standalone (SA) architecture but also expands upon the existing dual mode 5G Core infrastructure previously implemented by both companies.
What’s New: Cutting Edge Core for FWA
Ericsson has unveiled a next-generation Local Packet Gateway (LPG) designed to deliver high capacity while minimizing space requirements and lowering overall ownership costs. This LPG not only scales to accommodate growing user demand but does so with impressive efficiency—delivering enhanced performance without requiring bulky hardware.
By refining Airtel’s packet core infrastructure, this initiative empowers the operator to provide faster, more reliable wireless broadband, making it an effective alternative to traditional wired connectivity.
Meeting the Surge: Data Demand and Digital Inclusion
Airtel’s CTO, Randeep Sekhon, emphasized that the new deployment is engineered to meet surging data traffic, guaranteeing consistent connectivity even during peak usage periods. Ericsson highlighted the collaboration as a pivotal move toward unlocking 5G revenue potential via Fixed Wireless Access, driving broader digital access across India. The country’s FWA segment is witnessing rapid growth, reaching nearly 6.77 million users in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Leveraging FWA is thus an essential strategy for Airtel to expand internet access in underserved regions, bridging the digital divide.
Scaling Up: From Pilot to Nationwide Rollout
This upgraded core infrastructure is not just a technical augmentation—it’s a foundational move in Airtel’s broader 5G strategy. The groundwork laid by the dual mode core deployment earlier this year enables a swift transition to full 5G SA functionality.
By opting for an agile, compact core solution, Airtel is strategically positioned to rapidly scale its FWA deployment, ensuring seamless service delivery in both urban hubs and rural communities.
Beyond FWA: A Holistic Network Approach
This agreement is part of a wider tapestry involving multi-year arrangements between Airtel and Ericsson. Earlier this July, they cemented a multi-year Network Operations Centre (NOC) managed services contract, entrusting Ericsson with end-to-end management of Airtel’s 4G, 5G NSA and SA, FWA, private networks, and network slicing infrastructure.
Such alignment across network deployment and operations underscores their mutual dedication to network reliability, efficiency, and innovation.
Strategic Growth: Why It Matters
From Airtel’s standpoint, this deployment enhances its 5G monetization strategy. By utilizing FWA with advanced packet core capabilities, it can attract high-value broadband customers while avoiding the capex-heavy traditional wired infrastructure.
For Ericsson, India remains a critical market. The country’s surging 5G demand helps balance slower sales in other regions, reinforcing its global leadership in core network technologies.
Final Thoughts
Bharti Airtel’s tie-up with Ericsson for enhanced 5G Core infrastructure reflects a thoughtfully executed strategy to scale FWA, strengthen its 5G SA architecture, and broaden broadband access throughout India. By deploying a compact, high-performance packet gateway, Airtel optimizes its capex while ensuring peak-era durability—essential in meeting the nation’s surging data appetite.
This development also highlights Ericsson’s ongoing commitment within the Indian telecom ecosystem—from managed services to core upgrades—underlining a multi-faceted and future-driven partnership. With India’s FWA subscriber base rapidly expanding, this move positions Airtel to harness the full potential of wireless broadband, enabling more users and communities to benefit from high-speed connectivity.
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