Vietnamese Network Signs Network Upgrade Contract

Vietnam's Vinaphone has contracted with Alcatel-Lucent to upgrade its GSM network in 16 northern provinces with EDGE data services. The contract was signed through Alcatel-Lucent's Chinese subsidiary, Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell. The deployment is currently underway and the expanded network will begin providing commercial services in April 2009.

Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will design, deploy and maintain its multi-standard GSM/EDGE radio access solution including its latest Base Station Controller platform and TWIN transceivers.

"With our strong local presence, project management skills and our state-of-the-art wireless technology, we are confident that we will be able to ensure that Vinaphone will be able to reach its goal of providing its customers some of the most advanced mobile services available in Vietnam," saidOlivia Qiu, President of Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell.

Officially launched in June 2006, Vinaphone has become one of the top three mobile operators in Vietnam with a subscriber base of nearly 13 million. In 2007, Vinaphone spent over US$100 million installing around 2000 BTSs in order to ensure that mobile coverage would reach every district nation-wide, with a strong focus on border and rural areas. For 2008, Vinaphone plans to deploy another 3000 BTSs to reach a total of 8000. Vinaphone's strategy for 2009 is network coverage, marketing and branding.

Posted to the site on 12th April 2009