Nokia help DTAC migrate towards IP and 3G

August 17, 2005

Thai network operator DTAC has selected Nokia to supply its mobile softswitch solution for optimizing DTAC's mobile network as it evolves towards IP and 3G. The 3GPP release 4 compliant MSC Server System will be a key step in this transition, providing cost-efficient increases in capacity, while enabling new services like VoIP or interactive SIP-based multimedia applications.

Deliveries start immediately, with the target of having the system operational in October 2005. The system will be deployed initially in Bangkok and northeastern Thailand, before being expanded nationwide.

In addition to the MSC Server System, Nokia is providing the real time traffic monitoring and troubleshooting tool Nokia NetAct Traffica for the Circuit Switched Network, a turnkey project for network planning, training, and O&M support for a short period.

"We are proud to be introducing our cost-optimizing MSC Server solution into DTAC's network," said Suwit Pruckwattananon, Account Director for DTAC, Networks, Nokia. "The Nokia MSC Server will be key to DTAC's network evolution. It provides DTAC with higher capacity, better transmission utilization, and an ability to offer its subscribers a smooth migration path to All-IP in the future."

"We are confident in Nokia's ability to help DTAC migrate our existing network toward next generation networks, allowing us to provide the latest IP applications like VoIP," said Somlak Sachjapinan, Chief Technology Officer, DTAC. "As the move to 3GPP release 4 is a major shift in our core network development, we did a thorough study and comparison analysis between vendors. With Nokia MSC Server's capacity and IP technology, we feel that our investment today is secured for the future."

Following the first supply deal with DTAC in 1994, Nokia has been the sole GSM network supplier since 2003, and sole core network supplier since 2000.