Bharti Airtel [Get Quote], the country's largest mobile operator, on Wednesday awarded a $2 billion (Rs 8,000 crore) contract to Swedish equipment supplier Ericsson for expanding its telecom network.

The two-year deal is one of the biggest contracts for Ericsson. Under the contract, Ericsson will design, plan, deploy and manage Bharti's GSM network across 15 circles and its pre-paid platform across 23 circles in the country.

In addition, Ericsson will also deliver pan-India integrated device management solutions, enabling usage of advanced data services by all mobile customers of Bharti across retail and enterprise segments.

"This contract is an important part of realising Bharti's vision of a converged network and of expanding coverage in rural India to launch innovative voice and data services for Indian consumers," Ericsson India Managing Director Mats Granryd said.

"We are honoured that Bharti has chosen to partner with us in this grand venture that underpins our strategy of providing communication for all through sustainable and innovative solution," he added.