Vodafone India triggers 4G pitch with USD306 Million contract to Ericsson

New Delhi: Vodafone India has awarded a 4G deployment contract worth USD306 million to Ericsson. Within contract there will be a deployment of 4G services for UP West, Rajasthan, Odisha, North East and Assam telecom zones. The deployment is anticipated to complete by the third quarter of 2017. Under this contract, Ericsson will be offering 50% improved efficiency by deploying its full radio system portfolio.

With this move, Vodafone India will encounter the biggest rivals of 4G market namely Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio. Also, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular have common network equipment and managed services vendors. As per industry experts, the proposed merger could lead to shift of existing contracts with their respective partners. To optimise network and to bring in operational efficiency, both the Telco’s may have to renegotiate some vendor.

Vodafone India has already launched 4G services across all 17 circles planned and it is now rapidly expanding 4G footmark within these circles. Now, Vodafone India has given network rollout contracts for all its 4G circles, including 4G LTE deployment to Nokia, covering 10 circles and a similar contract to Huawei in Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi circles. Vodafone also awarded a multi-year managed services contract, worth USD213 million to Nokia, covering several telecom circles.

TechSci Research depicts that with introduction of high-speed LTE’s at minimal charges in the market, the overall user experience would enhance several folds. Expansion of Vodafone 4G LTE roll-out offering lightning-fast internet with affordable packages would play a significant role in boosting the Global LTE market.

According to recently published report by TechSci Research, “Global LTE Consumer Devices Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020”, global market for LTE consumer devices projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 26% during 2015 - 2020. Rising adoption of LTE technology in emerging economies, increasing number of new LTE enabled registered devices, such as cameras and other wearable devices, mounting Machine-to-Machine connections, Internet of Things (IoT) and declining global average selling prices of LTE devices is projected to propel growth in global LTE consumer devices market through 2020. Samsung and Apple are expected to continue their market domination; however, their respective market shares are expected to decline over the course of next five years.