PLUS Communication now offers nationwide high-quality, consistent services | Nokia Siemens Networks

PLUS Communication now offers nationwide high-quality, consistent services | Nokia Siemens Networks:

Nokia Siemens Networks extends coverage of operator’s GSM/EDGE radio and core network under three-year frame agreement

PLUS Communication sh.a, the latest telecom entrant in Albania, now offers high-quality voice and data services across the country, allowing users to retain their existing phone numbers when switching to its services. The operator has increased the geographical coverage of its 3G-ready GSM/EDGE radio and core nework supplied by Nokia Siemens Networks to more than 85% and implemented mobile number portability.

PLUS Communication launched its telecom operations in November 2010. The Authority of Electronic and Postal Communications, the Albanian telecommunications regulator, has validated the network coverage and the high quality of service (QoS).

“PLUS Communication is focused on developing the mobile broadband market in Albania and offering a superior experience to our subscribers. With Nokia Siemens Networks’ world-class equipment and speedy implementation, we have been able to provide uninterrupted, high-quality voice and data services to nearly all parts of the country. We are now looking forward to completing the network deployment and reaching out to the underserved areas of Albania,” said Moni Buchnik, chief executive officer, PLUS Communication.

“Drawing on our experience of rapid and cost-effective network deployments across the world, we were able to build PLUS Communication’s network in record time. In line with the operator’s endeavor to become the service provider of choice in Albania, we continue to ensure the quality of service remains high,” said João Picoito, head of South East Europe region, Nokia Siemens Networks.

Under the three-year frame agreement*, Nokia Siemens Networks is supplying complete 3G-ready GSM/EDGE radio access as well as packet and circuit switched core network, including its award-winning, energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station. It is also providing a full range of services including network design, implementation, maintenance and care, as well as its NetAct network management system to monitor, manage and optimize the operator’s network.

Improved mobile broadband coverage, faster data speeds for Polkomtel subscribers | Nokia Siemens Networks

Improved mobile broadband coverage, faster data speeds for Polkomtel subscribers | Nokia Siemens Networks:

Polkomtel S.A., Poland’s leading mobile operator, now offers improved mobile broadband services with better indoor coverage and wider reach beyond the country’s big cities. Nokia Siemens Networks has modernized the operator’s GSM network and expanded its 3G/HSPA+ network to enable new services using the 900 MHz frequency band. Nokia Siemens Networks also upgraded Polkomtel’s packet core network to the latest ATCA* technology for faster roll-out of advanced data services.

As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks also enabled radio access network sharing between Polkomtel and Aero2, another Polish telecom operator, which will save costs for both operators.

“It is very important for Polkomtel to extend mobile broadband access to all parts of the country and to offer services and applications that will benefit both people and businesses,” said Jaroslaw Bauc, member of the Polkomtel Board. “With Nokia Siemens Networks, we successfully launched new 3G/HSPA+ services by using a 900 MHz band refarming solution as a supplement to our existing 2.1 GHz services. This resulted in improved coverage and quality of our mobile broadband offering.”

In just four weeks, Nokia Siemens Networks deployed 500 Flexi Multiradio Base Stations, part of its LTE-ready Single RAN (radio access network) solution. It also enabled existing GSM sites to be reused without requiring any additional external combiners, filters or dedicated antennas, thereby saving costs while maintaining GSM quality and capacity. In addition, the contract includes the ATCA-based Flexi Network Server, part of the Nokia Siemens Networks Liquid Core architecture. It provides high transaction capacity to accommodate increased signaling load and ensures a seamless evolution to 4G.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ NetAct network management system will ensure optimal monitoring and management of the GSM and 3G/HSPA+ networks as well as the multi-operator core network (MOCN). Nokia Siemens Networks provided a range of services to Polkomtel such as network implementation, integration, and a full set of care services including hardware and software maintenance and competence development.

“By using spectrum in the 900 MHz band, operators can extend mobile broadband to rural areas and offer improved indoor coverage, where most data consumption takes place,” said Radomir Grucza, head of Nokia Siemens Networks in Poland. “In addition, using the 900 MHz band saves implementation and operation costs due to lower hardware requirements. Operators can thus offer high-quality experience to their customers without having to make significant hardware investments.”

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Swisscom users to benefit from LTE and mobile-network modernization - Ericsson

Swisscom users to benefit from LTE and mobile-network modernization - Ericsson:

December 21, 2011

Swisscom, Switzerland's largest mobile and fixed operator, extends its partnership with Ericsson for mobile-network modernization and upgrade to LTE

Modernization will cater for future mobile-data growth, expected to double every twelve months

As part of the five-year contract, Ericsson will modernize 6,000 mobile sites and optimize networks

Swiss consumers are enjoying data-rich services like never before. With mobile-data usage expected to double during the year, Swisscom has entered into a five-year contract with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) for mobile-network modernization and upgrade to LTE. The deal will ensure that Swisscom can continue to offer its users the best possible network in the most efficient way.

Ericsson will modernize 6,000 mobile sites with its RBS 6000 multi-standard radio base stations and optimize all of Swisscom's networks. The operator's mobile-data users all over the country - and especially those living in areas where traffic is dense, such as in inner cities - will benefit from faster speeds as a result.

By making Ericsson the sole supplier for the modernization of its existing mobile-core and radio network, and the introduction of LTE, Swisscom extends its existing partnership, in which Ericsson has been the sole 2G, 3G radio and main mobile core supplier.

Heinz Herren, Head of Network & IT, Swisscom, says: "By continuing to provide our subscribers with the best network possible while meeting the growing usage of mobile data, we will invest several hundred million Swiss Francs in mobile-network modernization over the next five years. Thanks to our long-lasting partnership, we are familiar with Ericsson's expertise in deploying new technologies, and we have already established processes that will allow us to make savings in this project."

Anders Runevad, Head of Region Western & Central Europe at Ericsson says: "We are pleased to help Swisscom introduce LTE and allow its users to enjoy the benefits of LTE on their smartphones, laptops and tablets. As Ericsson sees mobility and broadband as pillars of the Networked Society, in which everyone and everything is connected, this extended partnership marks yet another step towards realizing that vision."

Under the five-year contract, Ericsson will deliver core network, multi-standard radio base stations for 2G, 3G and 4G, as well as related installation services for the swap of the existing infrastructure. This includes software, hardware and the introduction of small cells, mostly in traffic-dense areas. With this deployment Swisscom will have GSM, WCDMA and LTE access networks. A key component in the core network is therefore Ericsson's SGSN-MME node, which supports all three access technologies.The rollout will start in January 2012 and all mobile sites will be modernized by mid 2014.