Bharti Airtel has expanded its partnership with Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson to strengthen its Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service capabilities in India. This development builds on their long-standing association, which has supported multiple generations of mobile technology in the country.
FWA is an emerging broadband solution that delivers high-speed internet to homes and businesses using wireless mobile network technology—primarily 4G or 5G—instead of traditional wired connections like fibre or DSL. It holds particular promise for semi-urban and rural areas where laying physical broadband infrastructure is challenging or cost-prohibitive.
Under the new agreement, Ericsson will deploy its latest core network platform tailored for FWA. The platform is designed for higher capacity, improved network reliability, and a smaller physical footprint—factors that contribute to a lower total cost of ownership. This rollout follows a previously announced deal between the two companies for a dual-mode 5G core, which established a unified network infrastructure supporting Airtel’s shift towards 5G Standalone (SA).
Randeep Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel, said the enhanced core deployment would help the company meet increasing data demands while ensuring a seamless and reliable customer experience.
“Ericsson's innovative Packet Core deployment architecture represents a foundational enhancement, enabling critical improvements in network quality and reliability. This rollout is another step in the sustained success of our collaboration with Ericsson, demonstrating our collective capability to leverage cutting-edge technology for elevated overall customer experience,” Sekhon said.
Andres Vicente, Head of Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania and India at Ericsson, highlighted the role of FWA in enabling digital inclusion and bridging the connectivity gap in underserved regions.
The collaboration aims to provide scalable, high-quality broadband connectivity. With FWA seen as a key driver of 5G monetization, this move reflects a strategic alignment between technology advancement and practical access to internet services across the country.
