Which mobile equipment company partnered with Airtel and BSNL to help set up 5G networks and ultra fast internet in India?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on telecommunications and technology partnerships. As India prepared for next generation mobile networks, major telecom operators such as Airtel and BSNL signed agreements with global equipment manufacturers to conduct trials and plan deployment of 5G and ultra fast broadband. The question asks which company partnered with both Airtel and BSNL for this purpose.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The partners on the operator side are Airtel and BSNL.
• The partnership relates to 5G technology and high speed internet.
• The other party is a mobile equipment or network infrastructure company.
• Options include handset brands as well as network vendors.

Concept / Approach:
While many brands sell phones, only a few specialise in building the core network infrastructure for 4G and 5G. Nokia, a Finnish company, is one of the leading providers of telecom equipment. In 2017, Nokia entered into separate agreements with Bharti Airtel and BSNL to work on 5G technology, Internet of Things and next generation networks in India. Therefore, Nokia is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the partnership mentioned is about network technology, not just handsets. Step 2: Recall that Nokia has long supplied network equipment to Indian telecom operators and signed memorandums of understanding on 5G with Airtel and BSNL. Step 3: Note that companies like Micromax and Vivo are primarily handset vendors rather than large scale 5G infrastructure suppliers. Step 4: Select Nokia from the options as the appropriate network equipment partner.

Verification / Alternative check:
Press releases and telecom news reports from 2017 describe Nokia and Bharti Airtel entering an agreement to work together on 5G and Internet of Things applications in India. Similar reports mention Nokia s collaboration with BSNL on 5G trials. These sources explicitly name Nokia as the common partner. Other companies in the options may have separate deals or roles in the telecom market but do not match this dual partnership description.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Micromax and Vivo: These are handset brands, not primary network infrastructure providers for pan national 5G deployment. Samsung: Although Samsung does supply some network equipment worldwide, the widely reported Indian 5G partnership involving both Airtel and BSNL in that period was specifically with Nokia. Ericsson: Ericsson is a major equipment vendor but in this particular question, the partnership highlighted in the news was with Nokia, not Ericsson.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse handset popularity with network infrastructure capability and therefore overestimate brands like Micromax or Vivo. Another error is to recall that multiple vendors were exploring 5G with different operators and to mix up which operator partnered with which vendor. The safe strategy here is to associate Nokia with both Airtel and BSNL in 5G collaborations.

Final Answer:
The company that partnered with both Airtel and BSNL to work on 5G and ultra fast internet in India is Nokia.