Ericsson Wins Mexican Microwave Contract

Ericsson says that it has been selected by Mexico's Telcel to provide microwave-transmission links for high-speed mobile broadband. The agreement is Ericsson's largest microwave deal in Latin America so far, and the company will provide Telcel with microwave-transmission links for 2G and 3G/HSPA based on the Ericsson MINI-LINK TN solution. This is a turnkey project in which Ericsson will provide full customer, equipment and field support.

Mobile penetration in Mexico is growing at a yearly rate of about 22 percent and reached an estimated 64 percent in 2007. This rapid growth has prompted Mexican mobile operators since 2003 to upgrade their networks to offer high-capacity and high-speed data services. Ericsson's microwave solution will boost the transmission capacity of Telcel's 2G and 3G networks, enabling the provision of high-speed mobile broadband based on HSPA.

Telcel has stated that it is looking to migrate gradually to IP its whole network.

Lars Lindén, President of Ericsson Mexico, says: "This is our largest microwave contract to date in Latin America. It shows that MINI-LINK TN is the best-in-class microwave platform from both a commercial and technical point of view. It provides Telcel with all PDH/SDH and IP capacity requirements for a true high-speed mobile broadband network."

The first phase of the contract extends through the end of 2008. Rollout begins in the third quarter of 2008.

No financial details were provided.

Posted to the site on 25th August 2008