Bharti Airtel awards network expansion contract to Ericsson

Bharti Airtel has awarded Ericsson an estimated two billion expansion
contract, including expansion of its GSM/EDGE network and providing capacity
management. The deal will allow Bharti Airtel to expand its reach into rural
areas, thereby further consolidating its leadership position.

Under the two-year supply and services contract, Ericsson will design, plan,
deploy, optimize and manage Bharti Airtel's GSM network across 15 circles in
India as well as for its pan-India prepaid (IN) platform across 23 circles. In
addition, Ericsson will also deliver pan-India integrated device management
solutions, enabling usage of advanced data services by all mobile customers
across retail and enterprise segments.

Manoj Kohli, President and CEO, Bharti Airtel said, "The network will further
allow us to offer more innovative products and solutions in the areas of voice
and data like community-based charging, location-based services and enterprise
VPN services. Bharti and Ericsson is also looking at forming a focus group to
work on energy optimization by way of introducing energy-efficient equipments
and alternate energy sources," he added.

Mats Granryd, MD, Ericsson India said, "This contract is an important part of
realizing Bharti's vision of a converged network and of expanding coverage in
rural India to launch innovative voice and data services for the Indian
consumer. We are honored that Bharti Airtel has chosen to partner with us in
this grand venture that underpins our strategy of providing communications for
all through sustainable and innovative solutions."