Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL), one of India’s leading telecom operators, has announced its collaboration with Cisco to simplify and automate its network to support 4G and, in the future, 5G use, and offer a better-quality experience for its retail and enterprise customers.

At a time when the quality of digital experiences matters most, Vi is working with Cisco to design and build a cost-efficient network architecture to drive greater speed to market with emerging opportunities in 4G & 5G, cloud, and IOT, a joint statement said.

Adding Cisco ultra packet core to its network architecture, Vi can deploy a host of innovative new software applications and services, including voice-over-Wi-Fi (VoWiFi).

Cisco ultra packet core offers greater performance and capacity for Vi’s network through automation and analytics, helping Vi reach and connect more people and devices faster.

“We are committed to providing seamless connectivity to our customers and enhancing user experiences, empowered by an intelligent and automated network,” Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea Ltd., said in a statement.

Adam MacHale, Vice President of EMEAR Service Provider, Cisco, said, “Vi is committed to delivering best-in-class services to their subscribers and bridging the digital divide that separates urban from rural areas. Success depends upon a highly resilient, secure, and scalable network infrastructure that can meet any challenge or opportunity. This is a significant step forward in India’s transformation journey. It puts Vi in a strong position to take advantage of the future opportunities that 5G, cloud, and IOT Services will bring, supporting critical industry sectors such as healthcare and education.”

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership.