Nokia and Vodafone Idea complete world’s largest Dynamic Spectrum Refarming deployment to improve network coverage and enhance connectivity

• Dynamic Spectrum Refarming (DSR) deployment will help Indian operator make the most of its spectrum assets
• Implemented India’s largest mMIMO project to boost customer experience
• Nokia’s DSR and mMIMO solutions enhance network efficiency and network experience, and pave way for a smooth migration to 5G

Nokia and Vodafone Idea today announced the successful completion of the 1st phase of world's largest deployment of Dynamic Spectrum Refarming (DSR) in India. The companies also announced that they have deployed the country’s biggest massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (mMIMO) installation.

Nokia's dynamic spectrum refarming solution (DSR), which has been deployed across key cities in India, will enable Vodafone Idea to enhance user experience with optimal use of its spectrum assets. Nokia’s solution includes its module AirScale BaseBand, which allows service providers to efficiently address the growing mobile broadband needs of subscribers in densely populated areas. Nokia’s DSR solution also enables service providers to dynamically share spectrum across different technologies and to automatically change spectrum allocation in line with evolving spectrum usage.

As part of the Single Radio Access Network (SRAN) contract, Nokia has also deployed more than 5,500 TD-LTE mMIMO cells in the 2500 Mhz spectrum band in eight circles (service areas) in Mumbai, Kolkata, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), Rest of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. The deployment will help Vodafone Idea to enhance coverage, reliability, and speed. India has seen a massive increase in data usage in recent years. Over the last four years, the data traffic has increased by over 44 times, which is amongst the highest in the world, according to Nokia MBiT Index 2020. Nokia's mMIMO solution supports exponential traffic growth by bringing extreme flexibility and automation, allowing service providers to adapt to dynamic and evolving traffic patterns while ensuring a world-class network experience. It also prepares the networks for the upcoming 5G technology.

Vishant Vora, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea Ltd, said: “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. At Vodafone Idea, innovation is the cornerstone for creating a 4G+ network and this is an example of us adopting cutting-edge technology to create a better network.”

Sanjay Malik, Senior Vice President and Head of India, at Nokia, said: “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. We are committed to helping mobile operators around the world strengthen and optimize the efficiency of their networks through innovative solutions so that they can fully utilize all available resources.”

Source: Nokia media announcement