Nokia bags 12 key deals with Indian operators in FY14

New Delhi: Nokia Networks bagged a dozen deals with major Indian operators during the first half of 2014, against 16 signed last year, the company said on Wednesday, indicating better times for the Finnish telecom gear maker as it expects higher revenue from increased spend on data network expansion by carriers.

The Helsinki-based Nokia has received a security solution contract from Reliance Jio Infocomm and a network expansion contract from Uninor, where Nokia will provide radio access equipment and accompanying services, a person aware of the details said.

Norwegian telco Uninor has been upgrading its network in India as per its plan to install 5,000 base stations this year, in addition to existing infrastructure across six circles. Nokia's equipment is likely to be deployed in Assam, where Uninor acquired airwaves recently and plans to launch services shortly.

Uninor did not comment on the development.

Nokia Networks' head of India region Sandeep Girotra didn't specify the type of deal with Reliance Jio but said the company was working closely with the pan-India BWA licence holder. RJio declined to comment.

The telecom gear making division makes up almost 90% of Nokia's global business. India, along with China and Japan, contributed to a 10% increase in overall network sales for the Finnish company in the second quarter ended June this year.

Sales in Asia-Pacific rose 5% to 823 million Euros, due to an increase in business in India and Japan compared with the second quarter 2013 while Greater China recorded sales of 306 million Euros as of June end, 18% higher than same quarter last year.

The company that now sells telecom gear under Networks, location and navigation services under Here and emerging technologies, had about 10 deals coming from 2G and 3G network expansion, managed services, IPficiation of networks. Nokia extended a customer experience management contract with Bharti Airtel for its Manesar unit and acquired an HLR installation contract with one of the several new customers in the first half of this year. Girotra refrained from sharing names of the new telcos.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.