Better Coverage and Speed, Nokia and Vodafone Idea complete 1st phase of world’s largest DSR deployment

Are you getting better coverage on your Vodafone Idea network? Then it would be because the Indian telco along with its partner Nokia has deployed the latter dynamic spectrum refarming solution across key Indian cities. It’s the first phase of the world’s largest deployment of Dynamic Spectrum Refarming (DSR). Also, the two companies have the country’s biggest massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (mMIMO) installations.

So what this all means for end-users like us? With this deployment, subscribers of Vodafone Idea would get to improve network coverage, enhance connectivity and better speed. With the optimal use of the spectrum in hand, the user experience would be enhanced.

With Nokia’s module AirScale BaseBand, the telco can efficiently manage and scale its resource to address the exponential mobile data usage in densely populated areas. This is much needed during the current situation, where more people are working from home and there is a massive increase in mobile data usage. The company’s DSR solution helps the telco to dynamically share spectrum across different technologies. In addition, this would also allow to automatically change spectrum allocation in line with evolving spectrum usage.

“Dynamic spectrum refarming provides us with more network capacity and data speed to enable us to deliver best-in-class network experience to our subscribers. Vodafone Idea was the first one to trial the DSR and I thank Nokia for the close partnership. Similarly, we have the largest deployment of mMIMOs in India and our investment in mMIMO technology significantly helped us in meeting the growing data demand during the COVID-19 crisis. Nokia has been our key partner in our DSR and mMIMO strategy,” commented Vishant Vora, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea Ltd.

Vodafone Idea and Nokia have signed for the Single Radio Access Network (SRAN) contract. Under this Nokia has deployed more than 5,500 TD-LTE mMIMO cells in the 2500 Mhz spectrum band of the telco in eight telecom circles. The telco’s subscribers in Mumbai, Kolkata, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), Rest of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh would benefit from this deployment.

In addition to bringing all the benefits listed above, Nokia’s mMIMO solution also prepares the telcos’ networks for the upcoming 5G technology.

“At a time when connectivity is so crucial, the deployment of DSR and mMIMO will help Vodafone Idea enhance network capacity and improve the experience for their customers,” commented Sanjay Malik, Senior Vice President and Head of India, at Nokia.