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Alcatel-Lucent Picks Up GSM Contract in Angola
Alcatel-Lucent has been selected by Unitel in Angola to expand and enhance its wireless network with GSM/EDGE radio equipment. This contract, which is valued at approximately EUR20 million (US$29 million), is the result of a network evolution program designed by Unitel to further improve its network quality and extend national radio coverage in the country.
Deployments will start from February 2008 to July 2008.
Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will supply its field ATCA-based Base Station Controllers (BSC) Evolution. Additionally, Alcatel-Lucent will supply its Twin TRX radio transceiver, which doubles base station capacity to support the requirements of urban environments and enables wider coverage in rural environments.
"This agreement further confirms Alcatel-Lucent's strong relationship with Unitel as strategic supplier for cutting-edge technology in Angola and highlights the confidence of our both companies have maintained since the establishment of the network," said Frederic Rose, President for Alcatel-Lucent's activities in Europe, Africa and Asia. "The operator's increased GSM capacity will give a larger number of people in remote communities access to vital mobile communications services. This new project reaffirms our commitment to bridging the digital divide in emerging countries, while meeting Unitel's needs for a reliable and cost-effective radio transmission solution".
Unitel is the country's largest operator, with 67% of the market according to figures from the Mobile World database. The operator ended last September with some 2.8 million customers, in a market with a population penetration level of just over a third.
Posted to the site on 13th February 2008