Indian mobile network operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has signed a contract with SAR Televenture that will enable the carrier to deploy 4G small cells across the country.

As reported by India's Economic Times, the two companies have signed an agreement to deploy 5,000 4G small cell sites.

The rollout is expected to begin during the first quarter of next year.

Founded in 2019, SAR Televenture is a network infrastructure provider that constructs 4G and 5G towers.

According to the company's website, it has previously installed towers for Bharti Airtel, and has operations in Myanmar.

Outdoor small cells are typically fixed to existing street furniture, such as lampposts.

They are seen as a simpler alternative to bulkier telecoms infrastructure, which might look out of place or draw criticism from residents.

Vi intends to set up 26,000 new 4G sites, expand the capacity of the existing 40,800 4G sites, and build 22,000 new 5G sites in the next two years.

The cash-strapped telco is still yet to launch 5G services.

Last month, the carrier was reported to have sought a loan of $2.75 billion to fund the expansion of its 4G network and deployment of its 5G network.

In January, Vi's CEO Akshaya Moondra said that its 5G launch is about "six to seven months away."