Nokia Siemens Networks expands Saudi 4G network (Saudi Arabia)
Subscribers of Saudi Telecom Company (STC) can expect a new generation of mobile broadband services with super-fast speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). The operator has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its nationwide GSM and 3G networks and expand its commercial 4G (TD-LTE: time division duplex long term evolution) network. Nokia Siemens Networks is now responsible for building one-third of STC’s nationwide 4G network. STC announced the launch of its commercial 4G network using TD-LTE equipment from Nokia Siemens Networks in September 2011.
Zeyad Thamer Al-Otaibi, STC Group chief executive officer for Technical Operations, has said that STC and Nokia Siemens Networks have enjoyed a long-standing, strategic relationship that has gone from strength to strength over the years. The latest round of network expansion and modernization provides a further boost to the partnership and will help deliver a differentiated experience to customers.
Bandar Mohammed Al Qafari, vice president Network Sector at STC KSA, says that user experience with 4G is much more enhanced and satisfactory as compared to traditional mobile broadband technologies. For instance, not only is there a noticeable increase in speed, but end users also get to enjoy new, multimedia applications and services. With more and more subscribers using bandwidth-intensive applications for smart phones and USB dongles, they needed to modernize their existing GSM and 3G networks, while rapidly launching 4G services. This is exactly what Nokia Siemens Networks offered- excellent technology coupled with a smooth services roll-out.
As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is modernizing STC’s GSM and 3G networks to its award winning Single RAN (radio access network) platform based on the compact, energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station. The company is deploying its 4G radio network infrastructure across 2,500 STC sites over the next two years. Nokia Siemens Networks is also providing its FlexiPacket Microwave transport platform, which is a common transport medium for STC’s GSM, 3G and 4G networks with on-air speed of up to 400 Mbps.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ Self-Organizing Networks (SON) suite, part of the company’s Liquid Radio, enables straightforward plug-and-play 4G base station rollout. This results in operational and capital cost savings, while also improving customer experience by ensuring 4G base stations always deliver their peak performance.
Bernard Najm, country head for KSA at Nokia Siemens Networks, has said that this contract reiterates their commitment to further the adoption of 4G technology globally. STC is their long-standing partner and they are delighted to bring 4G services to its subscribers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Their expertise in 4G technology and strong services support helped STC deliver on its plans to modernize its nationwide network and roll out 4G services faster.
As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is also upgrading its NetAct network management system to enable effective monitoring, management and operation of STC’s GSM, 3G and 4G networks. In addition, the company is providing services such as network implementation with project management capabilities for rapid and efficient network roll-out. It is also providing care services that include hardware, software maintenance and competence development. Nokia Siemens Networks already operates and optimizes STC’s GSM and 3G radio networks as part of a separate managed services contract.
Orange Jordan partners with Ericsson for network upgrade (Jordan)
Telecom operator Orange Jordan has signed an agreement with Ericsson to expand and modernise the operator’s 2G and 3G networks across the kingdom. According to reports, the new agreement will enable modernization of the 2G network while expanding the operator’s 3G presence.
As per a company statement, the upgrades will allow Orange Jordan to meet the demands of its growing subscriber base and continue to provide customers with high quality connectivity throughout the kingdom.
Further, under the terms of the agreement, Ericsson will also be supplying Orange with its latest RBS 6000 technology, an energy-efficient compact site solution that prepares the network for LTE/4G technology.
Tarek Saadi, president and head of Ericsson North Middle East, said that they are delighted to be continuing their successful relationship with Orange Jordan, and to have been awarded the modernization and expansion contract of their 3G and 2G networks. He added that they are committed to working with Orange to provide them with tailored and adaptable solutions that can help them meet the demands of their increasing subscriber base, and we look forward to further cooperation with Orange in the future.
Nayla Khawam, CEO, Orange Jordan, has said that the operator and its predecessor, Jordan Telecom Group, have played a key role creating the kingdom’s telecommunications backbone. Also, they have made significant contributions to Jordan Telecom’s integration with regional and global markets, something they are very proud of. Now, with their increasing subscriber base and the resulting demands on the networks, it is essential that they work with the right partner to provide the most reliable and up-to-date services for their subscribers.
Device makers compete to hit 4G network
The mobile internet is finally becoming a reality, urged on by the installment of new high-speed mobile data networks and the emergence of a new class of smartphones, slate-style tablets and other devices designed to take advantage of the new network capabilities and content geared to mobile users.
The chief US mobile network operators and makers of smartphones and tablet PCs used the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, as a launch pad for their new 4G services, software applications and devices boasting download speeds up to 10 times faster than current 3G networks.
The success or failure of the companies in persuading consumers and business users to trade-up to higher speed data networks and the next generation electronic devices that run on them will be closely watched elsewhere as mobile network operators worldwide prepare to invest in new infrastructure based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) and rival technologies.
At CES, Verizon Wireless, the joint venture between Verizon Communications and Britain’s Vodafone group, launched 10 new consumer products including four smartphones and two tablets designed to operate on its new LTE network which launched last month.
The new LTE devices, which will be available by mid-year, include Motorola’s new Droid Bionic smartphone and rival Google Android-powered handsets from HTC, Samsung and LG Electronics.
The two tablets, both powered by Google’s new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system, are Motorola’s Xoom and an LTE version of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab.
According to Dan Malone, Verizon Wireless Chief Technology Officer, the LTE network performance is already exceeding our expectations and promised that the network would be quickly extended from the initial 39 markets to more than 170 markets and two-thirds of the US population by year-end.
Teclo Vimpelcom’s Uzbek revenues in Q3 up 7.4%
Central Asian telco VimpelCom’s net operating revenues in Uzbekistan in the third quarter of 2010 comprised of US$$53.8 million, exceeding the index for the second quarter by 4.7 per cent and the results of the last year by 7.4 per cent.
VimpelCom Ltd, a leading international provider of telecommunications services, announced its operating and financial results for the quarter ended September 30.
Net operating revenues in Uzbekistan in the third quarter of 2010 comprised $53.8 million by adding 4.7 per cent from the second quarter ($51.4 million). The growth of mobile connection revenues made up 5.1 per cent ($51.4 million versus $48.9 million in the second quarter).
Adjusted OIBDA (Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization) in Uzbekistan grew 9 per cent versus the second quarter (from $20.1 million to $21.9 million). At the same time operational margins increased by 1.6 per cent.
The number of mobile subscriptions in Uzbekistan as of end of September 2010 made up 4,398,000 persons, providing the increase of the number of subscription agreements in the third quarter 2010 by over 400,000 (up 10 per cent).
VimpelCom does not provide any information on the market share to avoid its use by competitor mobile operators to calculate the subscribers outflow and it results in variant reading of reports and mis-representativeness of final indexes.
Capital expenditures for the CIS markets increased substantially both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter to support the network expansion, which is mainly focused on increasing mobile penetration and investments in fixed networks.
Capex in CIS made up $78.3 million (adding 10.9 per cent since the previous quarter) and were mainly extended for the development of 3G network in Uzbekistan (the launch of 3G networks in five cities of Ferghana valley in the end of August).
TOT launches 3G network in Thailand
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The launch of 3G network by Thailand’s state-controlled mobile network TOT got a cold response from the subscribers. However, initially the network will be available only in Bangkok and the areas surrounding it. Expansion of the network in the near future relies on the auction of the 3G license.
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will offer four licenses- three of 10 Mhz and a fourth with 15Mhz of radio spectrum while the reserve price will range between US$100-US$200 million. The process will not take place until next year as there is a lack of executives to form a quorum.
Small trials of 3G networks are already run by the current operators over their existing GSM radio spectrum, while CAT Telecom which is a CDMA operator, is seeking an overseas investor to assist in 3G rollout plans
Telefonica reveals plans to test LTE in UK, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Brazil and Argentina.
O2 has revealed plans to test long-term evolution (LTE) of 3G technology in the UK within the next few months.
Telef³nica announced this week that it will do trials of the Long Term Evolution of 3G networks (LTE) within the next few months across UK, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Brazil and Argentina.
Telefonica’s O2 in the UK will be the first operator in the UK to carry out LTE trials. T-Mobile, Vodafone and Orange are all expected to follow O2′s lead in the future.
Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, NEC, Nokia Siemens Networks and ZTE are supporting Telefonica’s initial technology trials, though it is still open to working with other suppliers.
LTE will allow Telef³nica to offer its customers peak mobile broadband speeds of up to 340Mbps ‘in ideal conditions’ and will also deliver more flexible use of its spectrum as well as boost network capacity.
MegaFon reveals 3G suppliers (Russia)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Russian mobile operator MegaFon, announced Finland-based equipment vendor Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) as the winner of its tender for the right to supply and construct 3G networks for MegaFon. NSN is said to supply at least 60% of 3G node-B base stations for the operator’s upcoming network expansion.
Five firms, NSN, Huawei, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and ZTE, would collaborate on the company’s 3G deployment and upgrades until 2010 end. Moreover, Huawei and NSN will provide MegaFon’s staff with full technical support for the supplied equipment. The cellco says it will decide the territory of the deployments within Russia and there will be no exclusive rights granted to vendors.
Nextel Chile and VTR win 3G spectrum
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: After winning 60MHz of the 3G spectrum in a closed tender, Nextel Chile has announced that it will invest USD300 million in the mobile network. VTR, a local cableco, an arm of Liberty Global and Nextel both submitted bids for three bands of 30MHz of 3G wireless spectrum. Nextel, offering USD14.6 million for the two bands was the highest bidder, while VTR will pay USD3 million for a single 30MHz band. The contracts are yet to be signed. Both the companies have twelve months to build their 3G networks and start offering services nationally.
Nextel and VTR will compete with Chile’s three main mobile telephone companies Entel PCS, Telefonica (Movistar) and America Movil (Claro), that already have the 3G spectrum.
