Nokia Modernizes RailTel India Network With 1830 PSS, 7750 SR

Nokia has concluded a project to modernize the optical transport networks for RailTel Corporation of India, a public enterprise operating under the Ministry of Railways. The upgrade targets increased network capacity, improved operational resilience, and reduced per-bit transport costs for both national long-distance and metropolitan rail networks. The project’s completion addresses escalating demands for high-speed connectivity from enterprise clients and for internal operational use. Financial terms and a precise completion date for the project were not disclosed in the official announcements.

The core of the modernization effort focused on RailTel’s national long-distance network, which is based on Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technologies. Implementation centered on Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) platform, a system designed for managing optical traffic from the network edge to the core. The upgrade incorporated advanced transponder technologies to maximize data throughput on existing fiber lines. A key aspect of the project’s efficiency was the reuse of RailTel’s existing physical infrastructure, which included activating previously unused spectrum channels within the deployed fiber optic cables. Verification data suggests the project also involved solutions from Infinera, a Nokia subsidiary, specifically the implementation of Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) devices to allow for greater network flexibility and software-based service configuration.

A new network architecture was established to improve performance and efficiency. This architecture introduces high-capacity Lambda transmissions, effectively increasing the data-carrying potential of each optical wavelength. The project also established dedicated express traffic lanes between major cities, which reduces latency and contention for critical data flows by creating direct, high-speed optical paths. These architectural changes have a direct effect on network performance and are designed to produce a significant reduction in the overall cost per bit, a critical metric for network operators scaling their services. The open, vendor-neutral design of the new infrastructure is intended to support future technological integrations and prevent dependency on a single supplier.

In parallel with the optical layer enhancements, RailTel has deployed Nokia’s 7750 Service Router (SR) series. These routers were integrated with Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) and Carrier-Grade NAT (CG-NAT) functionalities. The BNG function is critical for managing subscriber access and services, while CG-NAT helps manage the allocation of IP addresses, a necessity for large-scale service providers. This unified architecture creates a cohesive system for managing high-speed traffic for RailTel’s enterprise customers and its own internal ISP services. The integration improves intercity traffic resilience and provides the necessary bandwidth to meet projected growth in data consumption.

Sanjai Kumar, President and CEO of RailTel, commented on the project’s strategic importance. “This collaboration is an essential step in modernizing our BNG, CG-NAT, and optical transport systems,” he stated. “By integrating Nokia’s advanced technologies with our existing infrastructure, we are positioned to achieve a high level of efficiency. These enhancements will enable us to deliver faster, more reliable, and higher-quality services to our enterprise and broadband customers across India.” This statement positions the upgrade as a foundational element of RailTel’s service delivery strategy, directly linking infrastructure investment to customer-facing improvements in speed and reliability.

RailTel operates as one of India’s primary telecom infrastructure providers. Its assets include an extensive fiber optic network laid along railway rights-of-way, providing a secure and geographically diverse backbone. The company also runs two Tier III certified data centers, supporting its role as a key infrastructure partner in national digital projects. RailTel has been instrumental in public-facing initiatives, such as the transformation of hundreds of railway stations into digital hubs through the provision of public Wi-Fi services, a project that relies heavily on the capacity and reliability of its core network.

The completed network upgrade strengthens RailTel’s position in the competitive Indian telecommunications market. The enhanced capacity and resilience of its optical and IP/MPLS network enable it to offer more robust services to enterprise, government, and carrier customers. The modernization directly supports the operational needs of Indian Railways, which is increasingly reliant on digital systems for signaling, communications, and passenger information systems.