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Celcom first to deploy common core network for GSM and W-CDMA (Malaysia)

  • March 31st, 2008
  • 1:34 pm

Celcom claims to have become the first operator in Malaysia to establish a single core network platform for its GSM and W-CDMA networks, using a Mobile Softswitch solution from Ericsson. The deployment also marks the first step for Celcom in migrating its core network to an all-IP architecture. Upon completion, Celcom will benefit from having a single, common infrastructure that will handle both 2G and 3G network services, including the current available voice, data and TV services such as MMS, mobile broadband and mobile TV. The common infrastructure will also enable Celcom to introduce innovative new services such as dual numbers in one SIM card or same number in multiple devices, 3G services on 2G SIM card and mobile number portability, to name a few.

   

 

 

 

Ericsson selected by Celcom to deploy a common core network (Sweden)

  • March 31st, 2008
  • 11:06 am

Celcom today became the first operator in Malaysia to establish a single core network platform for both GSM and WCDMA technology with the deployment of Mobile Softswitch solution from Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), in its network.

The move is in line with Celcom’s continuous focus to modernize its network to deliver classic telephony services over a more modern and cost efficient network while creating a common foundation for new services. The deployment of Ericsson Mobile Softswitch also marks the first crucial step for Celcom in migrating its core network to an all-IP architecture.

Upon completion, Celcom will benefit from the convenience and simplicity of having a single, common infrastructure that can handle both 2G and 3G network services, including the current available voice, data and TV services such as MMS, mobile broadband and mobile TV.

The common infrastructure will also enable Celcom to be ahead of its competition in introducing innovative services such as dual numbers in one SIM card or same number in multiple devices, 3G services on 2G SIM card and mobile number portability, to name a few.

By deploying Ericsson Mobile Softswitch, Celcom is able to introduce a layered architecture design in its GSM/WCDMA mobile circuit core. Layered architecture enables separation and centralization of the equipment responsible for call control and network intelligence, enabling a reduction in the number and size of main core network sites for Celcom. This will ultimately provide significant savings for Celcom and reduces the company’s core network operating expenditures (OPEX).

“As a long-time partner to Celcom, Ericsson is excited to play a prime role in supporting Celcom’s decision to create yet another milestone in the industry. Ericsson is fully committed to ensure a smooth evolution of Celcom’s core network to an all-IP architecture.” said Krishna Kumar, President and Country Manager of Ericsson Malaysia.

Ericsson is the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies, Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 185 million subscribers. The company’s portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of ‘communication for all’ through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27.9 billion (SEK 188 billion) in 2007. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on the Stockholm, London and NASDAQ stock exchanges.

   

 

India’s DoT confirms global 3G auction (India)

  • March 21st, 2008
  • 8:10 am

Indian regulator imposes stringent licence obligations for successful 3G bidders.
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Thursday announced plans that will enable new players including foreign operators to acquire 3G spectrum in the country.  

In a report by India’s Economic Times, the DoT said that new GSM entrants will be allowed to bid for up to 10 MHz of 3G spectrum, or two blocks, which would give them enough capacity to launch 3G services.

The decision overrules the Telecoms Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which earlier proposed that only existing GSM operators be allowed to bid for single blocks of 5 MHz spectrum, which would boost their existing capacity and enable them to launch 3G services. Under the DoT’s new guidelines, that rule regarding existing players remains in place.

The DoT has also specified that successful bidders will receive unified access service (UAS) licences for 3G services, meaning they will not be eligible to launch 2G services.

The Indian government approved a global 3G auction last year, but the TRAI opposed the move, claiming it would not be financially viable for new players to build out new networks, compared to existing GSM operators, which have already made substantial infrastructure investments.

Thursday’s decision by the DoT is likely to be welcome news to U.S. telecoms giant AT&T.

The carrier’s CEO Randall Stephenson has been lobbying the Indian government to give the green light for AT&T to bid for 3G spectrum.

However, the DoT has imposed strict licence obligations for operators that are successful in their 3G bids, and reiterated Thursday that it will come down heavily on those that fail to meet them.

Operators that do not achieve their rollout obligations will be given one further year to meet them, during which they will be fined 2.5% of their winning auction bid per quarter.

“If operators do not complete their rollout obligations even within the one year grace period, their spectrum assignment would be cancelled and the spectrum would be allocated via an auction to a new operator,” said the DoT.

What’s more, no entity related to the defaulting operator would be allowed to bid in the resulting auction.

   

 

 

T-Mobile, 3 agree 3G network sharing in UK (UK)

  • December 20th, 2007
  • 9:05 am

UK mobile operators 3 and T-Mobile have agreed to combine their 3G access networks in order to extend coverage and reduce costs. The deal is expected to give the two operators almost complete coverage of the Great Britain population by the end of 2008 as well as improved urban in-building coverage in 2009. The agreement centres on sharing mobile masts and infrastructure connecting to each operator’s core network. The core networks and T-Mobile’s 2G network will remain separate, and each operator will continue to handle their own customer services and spectrum. The shared network is scheduled to be completed in just over two years and will be managed by a 50-50 joint venture company called Mobile Broadband Network Limited. The agreement will lead to the decommissioning of over 5,000 duplicate sites from both parties’ combined existing cell site portfolio. Together with the lower future capital expenditure requirement, the combined savings are estimated at GBP 2 billion over 10 years. The joint venture contract runs until the end of 2031.

   

Nokia Siemens completes T-Mobile, Tele.ring network merger (Austria)

  • December 20th, 2007
  • 8:33 am

Nokia Siemens Networks has completed the unification and expansion of the T-Mobile Austria and Tele.ring networks following the acquisition of the latter by T- Mobile Austria. The result is a fully upgraded single physical network serving now about 3 million users - 2 million T-Mobile subscribers and 1 million Tele.ring customers. The project consisted in the replacement and upgrade of a total of 1,300 base stations of the 2G network, an upgrade of the existing T-Mobile Austria core network equipment to increase the network’s capacity as well as a migration of Tele.ring’s prepaid customers to a charging platform at T-Mobile Austria, already installed by Nokia Siemens Networks.

   

T-Mobile & 3 to share 3G network to boost wireless broadband coverage (UK)

  • December 19th, 2007
  • 6:55 am

T-Mobile UK has confirmed it has agreed a 3G network sharing deal with rival operator 3 UK, with the aim of extending high speed wireless broadband coverage to the entire country by the end of 2009. Combining the high speed networks of the UK’s fourth and fifth-placed operators will help reduce the cost of producing a comprehensive broadband network by around GBP2 billion; both already have extensive W-CDMA networks, with 3’s infrastructure reaching around 90% of the population. The deal, which will involve the formation of a 50/50 joint venture, is understood to cover the two companies’ 3G access networks (but not T-Mobile’s 2G network), consisting of thousands of masts. In the search for cost savings, both have already independently outsourced part of the management of their backbone networks to Ericsson. As well as reducing costs, the deal will fuel speculation that T-Mobile ultimately wants to buy 3 if owner Hutchison Whampoa lowers its price expectations. Deutsche Telekom boss René Obermann has made no secret of his desire for consolidation in the British market. T-Mobile made an approach for O2 in 2006 but was thwarted by a knock-out offer from Telefonica. O2 is now the only UK mobile phone company not involved in plans to share network assets.

   

 

Softbank signals end to 2G services (Japan)

  • December 18th, 2007
  • 3:00 pm

Japanese mobile operator Softbank Mobile will stop accepting new applications for 2G mobile service subscriptions, including prepaid services, from 31 March 2008. The cut-off is introduced to promote migration to 3G mobile services as the number of 2G service subscribers declines. Softbank will continue to provide 2G mobile services to existing customers, including upgrades of handsets and various back-up and after-sales services, after the cut-off date on new applications. To replace the prepaid service provided exclusively on 2G handsets, SBM plans to launch a 3G prepaid service from early February 2008.

   

Coscom signs mobile network deal with Nokia Siemens (Uzbekistan)

  • November 12th, 2007
  • 11:48 am

GSM operator Coscom has signed two-year contract with Nokia Siemens Networks to build its nationwide 2G mobile network in Uzbekistan. The USD 152 million agreement include the replacement of the existing network and expansion of current network coverage and capacity. The network will be EDGE capable and the deal will provide the company with the network infrastructure system, delivery and care services as well as consulting and systems integration.

   

Ola Oi! Telco starts 2G auction with Sao Paulo win (Brazil)

  • September 26th, 2007
  • 1:58 pm

Brazilian telecoms group Oi (formerly Telemar) has won the first of 105 spectrum licences being auctioned off by the regulator Anatel. According to BNamericas, citing local daily Folha, the operator’s BRL80.6 million (USD43.3 million) bid for a licence covering Sao Paulo city, was successful, allowing Oi to compete against the country’s largest mobile operator Vivo in the most lucrative part of the latter’s coverage area. Oi also secured concessions in other parts of Sao Paulo state for BRL43.9 million, while Vivo won eight permits in Sao Paulo state and Sao Paulo city, as well as licences for parts of Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Parana and Santa Catarina states. BNamericas writes that Vivo began building out a GSM network this year but will use these latest licences to boost its traditional CDMA operation.

The regulator is auctioning a total of 105 blocks of spectrum distributed over 28 service areas and designated for 2G mobile services.

   
 

 

Mobinil Secures Egypt’s Mobile Future with New Core Network

  • September 10th, 2007
  • 7:17 am

The Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (Mobinil), Egypt’s leading mobile service operator, and Huawei Technologies, a global leader in providing next-generation telecommunications networks, are celebrating the benefits of their successful long-term collaboration in core network services in Egypt.

Founded in 1998 as the first GSM operator in Egypt, Mobinil has captured the number one position in the Egyptian market with an extensive range of mobile services and a network stretched to cover all areas of the country. Mobinil has been focused on constructing the perfect business model that will enable them to sustain their market leadership.

As part of its plans to expand and upgrade its existing network to meet future demand, Mobinil has decided to adopt Softswitch architecture in constructing mobile core network due to its cutting edge technology, profitable returns and investment protection.   As the first equipment supplier to introduce Softswitch technology into 2G/3G mobile core network commercial construction, Huawei has been selected for the provision of the Mobinil core network. 

“The modernization of our network is part of our relentless efforts to improve customer satisfaction and enhance the competitiveness of network performance.     Huawei is meeting our sophisticated requirements and its advanced solutions provide a perfect integration of advanced technology and market demands”, commented Alex Shalaby, president and CEO of Mobinil.

Mobinil has been joining efforts with Huawei since 2005, when they started to work on
Softswitch tests in Egypt and finished the first call on this trial mobile network during this period. Mobinil signed a commercial contract with Huawei in 2006 to expand the network capacity to include an additional five million customers.

 “Offering the richest experience and highest service standards to our customers in Egypt is our mission, and Huawei is a reliable and partner, whose expertise will help us to achieve this optimum mission,” said Hervé Suquet, chief operation officer of Mobinil.

According to the latest study from In-Stat, the leading research firm, Huawei is the market leader in Mobile Softswitch.  Huawei Softswitch technology is currently serving more than 285 million subscribers of more than 100 operators and was the first vendor to deploy R4 based Mobile Softswitch (Etisalat, UAE, 2003).