Nokia in network deal with Hutchison

Nokia, the world's largest mobile phone maker, has signed an agreement with Hutchison India for supplying GSM equipment to its nine of the 13 circles.

Under the agreement Nokia will deploy switching equipment and high-capacity GSM radio networks to enhance Hutchison's existing GSM networks in Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Karnataka and to its new circles in West Bengal and western Uttar Pradesh.

Switching equipment for West Bengal is also part of the deal, according to a statement by Nokia.

Nokia was unavailable for comment on the size of the deal.

Nokia will continue to supply Hutchison complete GSM network systems in Gujarat and GSM radio networks in Rajasthan, Haryana and Eastern UP.

In May, Nokia signed a $275 million network expansion deal with Bharti.

"By consolidating our supplier agreements, we are determined to cost-effectively improve coverage and capacity in our present networks and smoothly roll out services in the new areas," Asim Ghosh, MD, Hutchison India said.

"We are convinced that this deployment will benefit our customers now and in future," he said.

"The potential and scale of the Indian telecom market is enormous which is why we are happy to be playing a major role in the progress of mobile communications in this country," Rajeev Suri, VP, Nokia Networks said.

The Nokia equipment is upgradable to EDGE to support high speed data applications.