RailTel has strengthened its nationwide telecom infrastructure by collaborating with Nokia to modernize its National Long-Distance (NLD) and metro optical transport networks across India. This strategic partnership leverages Nokia’s cutting-edge IP routing and DWDM optical technologies to deliver higher capacity, improved resilience, reduced operational costs, and long-term investment protection—positioning RailTel for India’s fast-growing digital and broadband demands.
Nokia confirmed the successful upgrade of RailTel’s DWDM NLD network, executed in collaboration with its authorized partners. The deployment integrates Nokia’s advanced Carrier-Grade NAT (CG-NAT) solutions and metro optical transport systems across multiple regions in India, supporting the increasing need for high-speed, reliable, and scalable connectivity.
Using Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) and next-generation transponder technology, RailTel’s upgraded network achieved a major boost in transport capacity while optimizing cost per bit. The modernization also involved reusing existing infrastructure and tapping into unused optical spectrum channels. Additionally, high-capacity Lambda transmission and dedicated express traffic lanes between major cities significantly enhanced overall network performance and operational efficiency.
The collaboration embraces a vendor-neutral, open-network architecture, giving RailTel a flexible foundation for future innovations and diversified technology adoption. This open approach ensures RailTel can seamlessly integrate next-generation solutions as India’s digital infrastructure evolves.
Nokia’s 7750 Service Router (SR)—equipped with Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) and CG-NAT—further strengthens RailTel’s ability to support enterprise-grade traffic, high-speed broadband services, and mission-critical internal ISP functions. The unified architecture improves intercity network resilience, reduces complexity, and supports RailTel’s growing bandwidth requirements across government, enterprise, and broadband segments.
Sanjai Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of RailTel, said, “This collaboration marked a pivotal step in modernizing our BNG, CG-NAT, and optical transport systems. By integrating Nokia’s advanced technologies with our existing infrastructure, we have achieved exceptional efficiency. These upgrades enable us to deliver faster, more reliable, and superior services to our enterprise and broadband customers across India.”
Prashant Malkani, Head of India Sales for Network Infrastructure at Nokia, added, “At a time when demand for high-speed, resilient networks is soaring, RailTel entrusted Nokia to support this critical modernization project. Our expertise in open-network architectures and our latest IP routers and optical transponders will help RailTel reduce costs, improve efficiency, and prepare for future growth.”
With this significant upgrade, RailTel and Nokia are set to accelerate India’s digital transformation journey, strengthening the nation’s backbone infrastructure for 5G expansion, enterprise connectivity, and next-generation broadband services.
RailTel and Nokia Modernize India’s NLD & Metro Optical Networks for High-Speed Connectivity
