Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) will deploy Ericsson’s Cloud Packet Core to enhance its existing core network across India. As part of this deal, VIL will deploy Ericsson’s core network applications and network functions for faster introduction of new services and providing full service continuity to its customers.
“Data consumption in India is growing rapidly and users are looking for new, richer experiences every day. We are confident that Ericsson’s vEPC solution will be enable us to meet our strategic goals,” Vishant Vora, Chief Technology Officer, VIL said.
Alvise Carlon, Head of Digital Services for Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, Ericsson, said, “As users across India consume more and more data, packet core networks will need to be enhanced. It is one of the largest vEPC deployments for us anywhere in the world. This will not only provide VIL the scale and reach to address the growing data traffic levels in India, but the advanced cloud infrastructure will also enable VIL to tap new revenue streams in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Internet of Things (IoT).”
India, which is currently in the process of telecom network integration, is trying to combat issues of congestion created due to high data consumption and introduction of latest technology will address the issues, officials said. Ericsson said cell phone users are now getting ready to switch over to 5G to have faster data consumption. “One out of three smartphone users in India will change either immediately or in six months to a service provider that switches to 5G,” Ericsson said, quoting a survey.
Meanwhile, Ericsson has also announced a deal to deploy 5G ready LTE equipment for Vodafone Idea Ltd. It will use the existing networks of the telecom provider and enhance its LTE capacity. “We are trying to emphasize on reuse of networks through spectrum sharing and carrier aggregation. This will make 5G more accessible and cost effective for the operators,” Thiaw Sang Ng, Ericsson’s Head of Network Evolution for South East Asia, Oceania and India, said.
Ericsson also announced a partnership with Bharti Airtel to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases for Network Operations along with VoLTE expansion in the country. A VoLTE expansion will lead to higher quality voice services which will benefit the ever increasing smartphone customer base in India, it said.
