Optimus contracts ZTE for SDR platform (Portugal)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Portugal’s third largest operator by subscribers, Optimus and Chinese equipment vendor ZTE have entered into agreement for the deployment of software defined radio (SDR) multi-mode platform.
This will enable the operator to upgrade its GSM/UMTS networks while providing a smooth evolution path to Long Term Evolution (LTE). ZTE’s SDR RAN solution, network management system, operating systems and software (NMS/OSS) will be included in the SDR network.
Four regions will be initially covered by the network rollout. Not only the modernization of existing infrastructure, but also the preparation for future LTE developments will be allowed by the selection of ZTE’s uni-RAN solution for central Portugal.
Sony Ericsson adds QWERTY keyboard to Vivaz Phone
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The Vivaz smartphone of Sony Ericsson also known as Vivaz pro has added a QWERTY keyboard to the touch screen offering. According to Daniel Sandblom Marketing Business Manager, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro meets the increased consumer demand for QWERTY devices without compromising on any entertainment features.
UMTS HSPA 900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 are supported by the handset while it is available in selected markets from Q2 in Black or White.
Full slide-out keyboard, stay in touch through email, Twitter, Facebook, blogging and chat, view everything on the 3.2″ 16:9 wide touchscreen, HD resolution and PlayNow – immediate online access to applications, games and music are some of the exclusive features of the handset.
Cosmote‘s HSPA+ network to be build by ZTE (Romania)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Cosmote Romania has contracted Chinese equipment manufacturer ZTE to deploy an HSPA+ evolved UMTS network. Infrastructure across all the major cities in Romania will be deployed by Cosmote by the end of March 2010.
The network will be installed with ZTE’s software-defined radio (SDR) technology and will be capable of theoretical peak download speeds of 21Mbps while SDR will allow seamless transition from GSM/UMTS to HSPA+ and, in future, LTE.
Cosmote which did to not receive a 3G concession in the 2004 and 2006 license tenders, acquired local 3G specialist Zapp, thus gaining access to a 3G concession and allowing it to prepare to roll out mobile broadband services of its own.
Commnet Wireless & ZTE launch LTE trials
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With an aim to build the network spanning parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, equipment has been ordered from ZTE by US regional operator Commnet Wireless. ZTE’s core dual-mode CDMA/LTE platform to meet the service requirements of roaming subscribers will be leveraged by Commnet. ZTE’s LTE platform can also be customized for other bands such as GSM and UMTS.
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and ZTE are in discussions for additional US Broadband Stimulus funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Network supply deal signed between ZTE and Cell C (Africa)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: South African mobile operator Cell C along with its controlling shareholder Oger Telecom signed a network supply and managed services agreements with ZTE. Under the agreement, Cell C will receive GSM/UMTS network turnkey solutions and operations services in total USD 378 million.
Product sales and engineering services are specified in the agreements in relation to ZTE’s daily operations. The project is expected to be completed within three years.
Alcatel-Lucent to expand MobiCom 3G reach
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MobiCom, Mongolia’s largest mobile operators by subscribers, has selected Alcatel-Lucent to deploy an UMTS/HSPA network to expand the telco’s existing 3G infrastructure and coverage.
An advanced converged radio access network (RAN) portfolio will be provided by the French vendor to sustain the rapid increase of voice and data traffic and to enable a smooth transition to Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.
3G base stations (eNode Bs), radio network controller, network management system and critical professional services including network installation and testing are also included in the service. According to B. Gansukh, CTO of MobiCom, Alcatel-Lucent’s converged solutions and professional services offer unmatched performance and advanced features, making it the ideal choice as we transform our network to roll out next generation services.
Velcom’s subscribers base rise by 10.9%
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 10.9% increase in the mobile subscribers has been recorded by Belarusian mobile operator Mobile Digital Communications (Velcom) which closed out 2009 with 4.102 million users.
However, the market share of the company went down from 44.8% at end-2008 to 42.7% at the end of 2009. The loss incurred even after the rollout of 409 new base stations and the extension of services to 150 new settlements increasing the coverage to 99.4% last year.
Velcom hopes to launch the UMTS network commercially by 31 December 2010.
FNA receives six requests for spectrum auction in Germany
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Six requests have been received by Federal Network Agency (FNA) to take part in the country’s digital frequency auction scheduled for early in the second quarter of 2010. The applications will now be examined by FNA after which it will decide whether the companies are qualified to take part or not.
German telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom (DT), UK-based Vodafone, Spain’s Telefonica O2 Germany and E-Plus, the local unit of Netherlands-based group KPN, are all expected to be among those asking to be admitted as bidders.
It is one of the largest spectrum auctions in Germany since the allocation of UMTS concessions in 2000 and involves licenses for spectrum freed up in the switchover from analogue to digital television. The spectrum package includes 360MHz, 1.7GHz, 1.8GHz, 2GHz and 2.6GHz besides 60MHz in the digital dividend range of 800MHz.
Ericsson selected as primary vendor for 2G/3G network rollout by Mobile Norway
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Mobile Norway, the joint venture formed by Tele2 Norge and Network Norway has selected Ericsson, a Swedish vendor as the main vendor for the roll-out of a new 2G/3G mobile network in Norway. Mobile Norway plans to roll out a network covering 75% of the population in the ‘coming years’.
There has not been any formal announcement of the financial deal or the time frame for the deployment of the new infrastructure.
In September 2007, Network Norway and Tele2 Norgehad announced their partnership and under the terms of the deal, Tele2 Norge acquired 50% of the shares in AMI, holder of Norway’s third GSM-900 license. After the deal, the 50/50 joint venture Mobile Norway came into existence.
Two months after the announcement the Norwegian government revealed that it had received an application from Mobile Norway for the country’s fourth UMTS license. Mobile Norway was also awarded the license for around NOK47 million after a sealed auction in December that year.
Hutchison 3G Austria modernizes its network for HSPA+ and LTE
Hutchison 3G Austria is modernizing its radio access network to be ready for HSPA+ and the next generation of mobile broadband, or LTE. At the same time this step will allow the operator to halve the energy consumption of its base stations. Nokia Siemens Networks will undertake this upgrade starting in autumn 2009.
The demand for increased mobile broadband capacity and throughput in Austria is reflected in the increasing usage of data cards and mobile services like Mobile TV, video download or video sharing,†said Berthold Thoma, CEO of Hutchison 3G Austria. Mobile broadband is also one of the most pragmatic solutions to bridging the digital gap between cities and rural areas. For rural areas, mobile broadband coverage is simply less expensive and faster to deploy than fiber to the home†solutions. We hope that with our nationwide coverage we will contribute significantly to this end.†(more…)
