Airtel calls on ITI Limited for FTTH rollout in eight circles

Indian state-owned equipment vendor ITI Limited has reportedly received a letter of intent from Bharti Airtel regarding the rollout of a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network in eight circles of the country. According to Light Reading the vendor will carry out the work over a three-month period, laying the optical fibre backbone for providing broadband connectivity. No details on which circles are to be covered under the deal were reported, however. It was suggested that the development is of particular significance, being one of the rare occurrences of India’s private operators working with state-owned gear makers. Such cooperation comes on the heels of the Indian government launching a new policy (‘Aatmanirbhar’) focused on self-reliance.