Telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Wednesday announced a collaboration with Intel for 5G network development by leveraging virtual and open radio access network technologies and making indigenous solutions.

This is Intel’s second 5G-related partnership in India. It recently joined hands with

Reliance Jio to help the telco with its 5G network development, including in the areas of 5G radio, core, cloud, edge, and artificial intelligence.

Bharti Airtel and other telecom operators are at present conducting 5G trials in select cities across India.

“The collaboration is part of Airtel's 5G road map for India as it transforms its networks to allow its customers to reap the full possibilities of the hyperconnected world where Industry 4.0 to cloud gaming and virtual and augmented reality become an everyday experience,” Airtel said in a statement.

As part of the collaboration, Airtel will deploy Intel’s Xeon Scalable processors and other components across its network to build a foundation for rolling out wide-scale 5G, mobile edge computing and network slicing.

“Airtel is delighted to have Intel as a part of its rapidly expanding partner ecosystem for 5G. Intel’s cutting-edge technologies and experience will contribute immensely to Airtel's mission of serving India with world-class 5G services.

“We also look forward to working with Intel and home-grown companies to unlock India's potential as a global 5G hub,” Bharti Airtel chief technology officer Randeep Sekhon said.