Vodafone delays 3G network upgradation, Ericsson asks for time (Australia)
Vodafone Australia delays it’s 3G network upgradation worth $500 million.The delay is caused due to Ericsson, the equipment supplier asked for more tome to finish the upgradation process.
The mobile operator had made the upgradation process the number one priority this year and to achieve a 3G coverage of 95% by year end, which will now be possible only by first half of 2009.
According to Vodafone Australia, the core network upgrade has been completed to nearly 50% of new base station sites, concerns surrounding integration of the new network onto the carrier’s existing live network prompted the deadline delay.
“The build itself is well on track it’s just the integration into the live network which is causing some issues,” says Vodafone chief technology officer Andy Reeves.
Though Ericsson has not specified the reason for delay but is in talks with Vodafone to finalise a schedule for completion. Regarding the delay, Andy Reeves had not expected it to be six month long.
“Ericsson is responsible for that planning but we wouldn’t expect a delay of that magnitude,”he adds as Ericsson delays the dealine to an undisclosed date next year.
