India’s Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) has become the country’s first privately-owned operator to name its 3G equipment supplier, signing-up Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to deliver WCDMA and HSPA+ gear. NSN won the deal despite reports last week that the Indian authorities had given local operators permission to source kit from major Chinese vendors such as Huawei and ZTE. “We want to move quickly, which is why we’re the first to secure our key 3G technology and services supplier,” said TTSL’s CTO AG Rao. TTSL acquired 3G spectrum in nine of India’s telecom circles in auctions earlier this year and is expected to launch its first services in early 2011. NSN – which has an Indian 3G manufacturing facility at Chennai – will supply its LTE-ready Flexi Multiradio Base Stations and other equipment to support the rollout. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Meanwhile, another significant Indian equipment contract was awarded this week by state-owned operator BSNL, which has appointed local firm ITI to supply 2G and 3G equipment. According to a Dow Jones Newswires report, ITI’s shares rose as much as 11 percent yesterday in response to the news, which was announced on BSNL’s website. The deal – reportedly worth INR2.67 billion (US$57 million) – was a much needed boost for ITI, which is deemed to be struggling to get orders due to competition from foreign players. BSNL is already rolling out its 3G network after being allocated spectrum ahead of the auctions for private operators.