Bharti Airtel Ltd.

Bharti Airtel has signed a contract with Chinese equipment maker Huawei to modernise and expand its 2G and 3G networks in Africa. Huawei will design, plan, modernise and expand Bharti Airtel’s networks in Africa, apart from managing operations and maintaining the network. The Chinese company will deploy its complete GSM and 3G product portfolio, with GSM and HSPA technologies. It will also prepare the network for the introduction of technology platform Long-Term Evolution (LTE) there. 

The agreement will allow Airtel Africa to rapidly expand its mobile services and broadband footprint in the region. Modernization and optimization of networks will lower its operating expenditure and enable roll-out of services at affordable prices. The deal size may be around $400 million.