Smart awards Nokia USD 117 million GSM/EDGE network deal in Philippines
January 26, 2004
Nokia and SMART Communications (SMART) have signed a contract worth approximately USD 117 million for Nokia to supply GSM/EDGE and next-generation equipment for Smart's network rollout in the Philippines.
Smart's network rollout is aimed at increasing GSM network capacity to meet increasing demand in rural areas, in addition to enhancing innovative multimedia services over high quality EDGE network.
"We want to service our increasing subscriber base more efficiently and more innovatively. These investments will address our objectives on capacity expansion, preparation for future platforms, introduction of life-enhancing technologies, as well as continuous service quality improvements," said Ramon S. Fernandez, SMART's head for administration and materials management division.
"The enhancements of SMART's network will enable us to offer more powerful and user-friendly wireless services to our subscribers. This will also help us expand our network to more remote areas and to foray into new technologies," said Rolando Peņa, SMART's head for network services division.
Nokia has been working with Smart since 1998, providing services for the operator's GSM/GPRS/EDGE infrastructure over this period.
In addition to increasing capacity and expansion issues, the agreement also covers solutions that will future-proof Smart's core network by using new technology efficiently.
The agreement also covers trial networks of new service-enabling solutions like Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC), Presence, and the IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS).
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