Bharti Airtel, India’s leading telecommunications provider, witnessed a notable 3% surge in its share price on February 25, 2025, following the announcement of a strategic partnership with Ericsson to enhance its 5G capabilities. This collaboration aims to deploy Ericsson’s advanced 5G Core technology, facilitating Airtel’s transition to a full-scale 5G standalone (SA) network.
Market Response
The announcement had an immediate positive impact on Bharti Airtel’s stock performance. Shares climbed to an intraday high of ₹1,643 on the BSE, marking a 2.6% increase. By 3 PM, the stock was trading at ₹1,644.45 on the NSE, up 2.69%.
This uptick effectively ended a six-day losing streak, during which the stock had depreciated by nearly 7%.
Details of the Partnership
Under this agreement, Ericsson will deploy its Signaling Controller solution within Airtel’s network and introduce a 5G SA-enabled Charging and Policy solution.
These implementations are designed to enhance Airtel’s network capacity and support the development of innovative, differentiated services for customers.
Randeep Sekhon, CTO of Bharti Airtel, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating that it marks a pivotal advancement in Airtel’s long-term 5G strategy, enabling the delivery of cutting-edge services to customers.
Historical Context
This partnership builds upon a longstanding relationship between Bharti Airtel and Ericsson, spanning over 25 years and encompassing multiple generations of mobile technology. Notably, Ericsson was awarded Airtel’s first 5G contract in India, underscoring the depth of their collaboration.
Financial Performance
In the third quarter of the current fiscal year (Q3 FY25), Bharti Airtel reported a substantial 460.9% increase in consolidated net profit, amounting to ₹16,134.6 crore. Revenue from operations also saw a significant rise of 19.08%, reaching ₹45,129.3 crore.
Conclusion
The strategic alliance between Bharti Airtel and Ericsson is poised to accelerate the deployment of 5G technology across India, enhancing connectivity and offering advanced services to consumers and enterprises alike. This development not only strengthens Airtel’s market position but also signifies a significant step forward in India’s digital evolution.