Nokia Wins Middle-Eastern Contract
Nokia has won a managed services contract from the UAE based GSM operator, du and will also supply the entire core and a large proportion of the radio network for GSM/GPRS/EDGE and WCDMA 3G. The value of the deal is at least US$190 million.
"du" is a new participant in the growing United Arab Emirates (UAE) market, and becomes a new customer for Nokia. According to the agreement, Nokia will build the complete GSM/GPRS and 3G core network for 'du', as well as the majority of the radio network with turnkey responsibility.
'du' CEO Osman Sultan said the company's strategy was focused on investing in an advanced fixed and mobile network based on the latest 2G and 3G mobile technologies, and a Next Generation fixed line Network. "We will focus on the quality of the products and services we offer to the market, and we chose Nokia because it was the best company, technically and commercially, to enable us to carry out our strategy".
Under the agreement, Nokia will establish du's network operations. This includes, but is not limited to, the GPRS core; 3GPP Release 4 Nokia MSC Server System (MSS) and Nokia IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution; latest value added services platforms such as Nokia Push to talk over Cellular (PoC), Presence, Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MSSC), and Intelligent Service Node (ISN); and the unique multi-technology and multivendor Nokia NetAct(TM) network and service management system. Nokia is also taking a large systems integration responsibility.
"du" is 50% owned by the Federal Government with the remaining 50% divided equally between Mubadala Development Company and Emirates Communications and Technology Company LLC (ECTC). "du" holds the 2nd national mobile license in UAE and currently providing Fixed line, TV and high speed internet services to residential & business customers in Dubai under the DIC telecom & Samacom names."
Posted to the site on 8th March 2006
