Expanding GSM Coverage in Bangladesh
Bangladesh's GrameenPhone has awarded a contract to Ericsson to expand its GSM/EDGE network and prepare the core network for all IP. The US$150 million contract is to be implemented over a period of two years, during which Ericsson will remain the sole supplier to the GrameenPhone network. The contract also includes Ericsson Softswitch Solution and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).
Erik Aas, CEO of GrameenPhone, says: "With this contract, we will be able to introduce more new services to our customers. In order to efficiently evolve to the next level of our network expansion and evolution, it is vital that we have Ericsson as a partner. They do not only have a strong technology roadmap and leadership, but also a strong local presence, proven track record and a long-term commitment to this country".
The implementation of Ericsson's Mobile Softswitch is a significant first step for an efficient evolution towards all-IP. By complementing the mobile softswitch and IP infrastructure with a standardized service environment, GrameenPhone will be able to offer a wide range of new and differentiating multimedia services to its customers.
Karl-Henrik Sundstrom, Ericsson's Executive Vice President and Chief Finance Officer, says: "This is a significant milestone in Ericsson's partnership with GrameenPhone. We are fully committed to helping GrameenPhone strengthen its leadership in Bangladesh and retain their competitiveness in the future by ensuring that their network evolves in an efficient way to meet future needs in multimedia services"."
Posted to the site on 15th February 2006
