Nokia announced that its CloudBand-based software products are powering Bharti Airtel’s  Voice over LTE (VoLTE) network in India.

The VoLTE network supports over 110 million customers, making it the largest cloud-based VoLTE network in India and the largest Nokia-run VoLTE in the world. Airtel is the second largest 4G operator in India behind Reliance Jio.

The cloud-based VoLTE deployment allows Airtel to provide its mobile customers faster and more reliable, cost-efficient call connectivity. The solution, which has been deployed to cover all 22 telecom service areas in India, uses Commercial Off-the-Shelf IT hardware with cloud-based Virtual Network Functions (VNFs).

Nokia, one of the leading telecom equipment makers, said VNFs consumes much less power and space compared to the traditional 2G/3G Circuit Switched legacy core.

Nokia’s VoLTE solution enables Airtel to free up spectrum by ramping down its 3G network, allowing the operator to utilize the freed up spectrum to deploy 4G/LTE services for better speed and capacity.

Airtel will also deploy Nokia’s CloudBand Infrastructure Software with the aim to create new revenue opportunities for 5G and internet-connected devices. CloudBand will enable Airtel to lay the foundation for 5G networks and deliver digital services with flexibility and agility and ensure a high-performing network.

“India’s largest open cloud based VoLTE network is a major milestone in Airtel’s journey. Our objective is to reap the benefits of cloud solutions to simplify our architecture and enable faster delivery of innovative services, ultimately delivering an enhanced customer experience,” Randeep Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel, said.

Nokia’s carrier-grade cloud software solutions drive simplicity and flexibility and will further strengthen Airtel’s solid 5G network foundation and transition to innovative digital solutions that are customer and experience centric, Bhaskar Gorti, president of Nokia Software, said.