Monday, 10 September 2007

Ericsson to Upgrade and Expand Indian Telecom Mobile Network

Ericsson today announced it had won a turnkey contract valued at USD 1.3 billion to supply GSM and WCDMA/HSPA equipment and related telecom services to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the largest telecom operator in India.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for the expansion and upgrade of BSNL's existing GSM network and introduction of WCDMA/HSPA functionality.

The telecommunications giant will supply a GSM and WCDMA/HSPA radio access network, transmission equipment and a complete GSM/WCDMA common core network - including the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution, service-aware Packet Core, IMS and a multiservice IP Packet Backbone Network. Ericsson will also deliver telecom-related services, such as network design, deployment and systems integration.

“Upgrading our network will pave the way for a premium communications experience for our customers, and enable us to address new customer segments cost-efficiently. Ericsson's leading position, end-to-end capabilities and demonstrated competence, product portfolio, rollout and professional services capabilities made it the natural choice for this important project," said Kuldeep Goyal, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL,

Deliveries will start in October 2007, with the first phase of the project set to be completed in 12 months.