Homegrown telecom equipment manufacturer Tejas Networks has secured a three-year contract from Vodafone Idea (Vi) to supply backhaul solutions for the operator’s 4G and upcoming 5G networks. Under the agreement, Tejas Networks will provide its TJ1400 and TJ1600 packet and optical transmission systems to enhance Vi’s backhaul capacity and improve network performance across multiple regions in India. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
“As VIL accelerates its pan-India 4G and 5G rollouts, it is critical to upgrade our backhaul network to be scalable, robust, and future-ready to efficiently manage the expected growth in data traffic and rising bandwidth demands,” said Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Vodafone Idea. He added that Tejas Networks’ PTN (Packet Transport Network) and OTN (Optical Transport Network) products will be instrumental in delivering a superior service experience for customers.
Expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration, Anand Athreya, CEO and Managing Director of Tejas Networks, said, “We are proud to partner with Vodafone Idea as they embark on the journey to expand and create a nationwide 4G and 5G network in India. This partnership reflects our ability to design highly flexible and differentiated products that meet the evolving needs of leading communication service providers while lowering the cost and energy per bit.”
This announcement comes as Vi undertakes significant efforts to modernize its infrastructure. The telecom operator has awarded $3.6 billion in contracts to global giants Samsung to upgrade its 4G network and roll out 5G services across 17 priority telecom circles starting in March 2025. As part of its revival strategy, Vi has raised ₹24,000 crore in equity funding, including ₹18,000 crore from a follow-on public offer, with the majority allocated to expanding 4G coverage and deploying 5G.
Vi, a joint venture between the UK’s Vodafone Group and India’s Aditya Birla Group, continues to focus on improving its network in key regions. The operator aims to compete more effectively with industry leaders Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel while addressing subscriber retention and growth.
