Bharti Airtel and Tata Group have entered into a strategic partnership to challenge Jio's ‘made-in-India’ 5G technology. The two companies are focusing on deploying 5G radio and core solutions, based on Open-RAN, which Airtel has created locally.

According to analysts, this move will help the telecom firms to lower the cost of 5G installation by using locally developed Open-RAN technology.

Reportedly, Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel announced that as part of its 5G deployment ambitions in India, it will test and install its new technology in January 2022.

The latest agreement between Airtel and Tata is noteworthy as it tries to challenge Reliance Jio's "made-in-India" efforts for the country's 5G network. Jio has also created its end-to-end telecom stack, which includes radios and core tech, which it is now testing in Mumbai and will be commercialized once the 5G spectrum becomes available.

Sources claim that Tata Group has built O-RAN-based radio and NSA/SA core technologies as well as an indigenous telecom stack which will be available for commercial development projects from January 2022. Tata group will also collaborate with multiple start-ups and local enterprises for manufacturing and R&D programs in the future.

Bharti Airtel's MD and CEO (India and South Asia), Gopal Vittal said in a statement that their company is excited to work with Tata Group to make India a global leader in 5G and related technologies. India is uniquely positioned to produce cutting-edge technologies and apps for the world, owing to its world-class technological environment and skilled workforce.

Mr. Vittal added that this collaboration will be one of the leading ways for making India a destination for innovation and manufacturing.

As per Airtel, 5G solutions will likely create new export opportunities for India, which is currently the 2nd largest telecom market.

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