Samsung Breaks into India with 5G... Exports Base Stations to India's 2nd Largest Telecom Operator

Selected as New Airtel Partner
First 5G Project Win in India Telecom Market
Recognized for Technology with 2016 Nationwide LTE Network Deployment

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Samsung Electronics has proven its 5G technology by being selected as the 5G network equipment supplier for Bharti Airtel, the second-largest telecommunications operator in India.

Samsung Electronics announced on the 4th that Airtel has selected Samsung as a new partner along with existing network equipment suppliers to build its 5G commercial network.

Airtel, established in 1995, is the world's fourth-largest major telecommunications operator and the second-largest operator in India. It has approximately 490 million wireless subscribers and provides wired and wireless communication services in 17 countries worldwide.

Through this supply contract, Samsung Electronics will provide Airtel with radio products including ▲5G base stations (Radio Unit) ▲massive MIMO radios, as well as installation, optimization, and maintenance services for building Airtel's 5G network.

Samsung Electronics, having secured its first 5G project in the Indian telecommunications market, explained that this will expand its presence in the Indian telecom market by supplying network equipment to both the first and second largest operators in India.

Jeon Kyung-hoon, President of Samsung Electronics' Network Business Division, said, "India is a challenging market that requires innovative technology due to its large subscriber base and explosive wireless data usage. Samsung Electronics contributed to India's transition from 2G to 4G based on overwhelming product excellence and will actively cooperate to open a new horizon in the new 5G era."

Bharti Airtel Managing Director and CEO Gopal Vittal said, "Airtel is ready to lead India's 5G innovation," adding, "Samsung Electronics, as our core 5G partner, will join us on the journey to provide the best 5G customer experience by leveraging Airtel's ultra-fast and ultra-low latency service capabilities."

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics demonstrated differentiated technology by building India's first nationwide 4G LTE network in 2016. Since the advent of the 5G era, it has commercialized large-scale 5G networks in countries including South Korea, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada.