Mobistar selects Nortel Networks for Belgian 3G network
November 4, 2004
Mobistar, Belgium's second largest wireless operator, has selected Nortel Networks as the sole provider of 3G radio equipment to upgrade its national wireless network.
Under an agreement announced, Nortel Networks will deploy UMTS, EDGE, GSM and Multiservice Switching equipment to position Mobistar to accommodate more user traffic and support a broad range of sophisticated data services that can increase productivity for enterprises, business users and consumers.
Nortel Networks wireless equipment is designed to create networking efficiencies that can help service providers drive significantly reduced operating costs. Mobistar will use Nortel Networks Multiservice Switch 7400 series to aggregate 3G access traffic for additional operating and capital savings.
Under the upgrade agreement, Nortel Networks will be the sole provider of Mobistar's 3G radio equipment moving forward. Nortel Networks previously supplied about one-half of Mobistar's second generation wireless radio network. The 3G network upgrades will be deployed on top of Mobistar's existing wireless network and will not impact current services, coverage or quality of service.
The upgrade agreement calls for Nortel Networks to deploy Node B Internet base transceiver stations (BTS) and Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) for Mobistar. The Nortel Networks hardware is HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access)-ready and is designed to cost-effectively upgrade to support HSDPA through a software installation. Nortel Networks will also provide Mobistar with network planning, optimization and start-up operations to support deployment and initial operation of the network.
Mobistar is a member of the Orange group of wireless operators. In September 2003, Orange selected Nortel Networks as one of three radio technology vendors to support its Pan-European 3G network build out. Nortel Networks recently launched 3G networks with Orange in Cannes, Nice, Lyons and Marseille, France and is deploying 3G across the entire Provence - Cóte d'Azur and Rhone Alpes regions of southern France.
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