Nortel Picks Up Second Guatemalan Contract

Nortel has won a second network expansion contract in Guatemala, from SERCOM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telecomunicaciones de Guatemala S.A. (Telgua). The new contract is however for a GSM overlay on the recently announced CDMA network, giving the network operator a foot in both technology camps. Under a new contract, Nortel Networks will implement its complete GSM solution to overlay SERCOM's existing CDMA2000 1X network, which is also based on Nortel Networks wireless equipment. This will position SERCOM to seamlessly manage both networks. The overlay network will also be GPRS and EDGE ready.

"At SERCOM we strive to offer extensive service choices to our subscribers in Guatemala," said Marvin Par, general director, SERCOM. "We wanted the enhanced roaming capability of a GSM network and once again Nortel Networks was the vendor with the proven wireless solution that best met our requirements."

"Nortel Networks continued commitment to America Movil, SERCOM, and other key Latin American customers is to help them be successful by deploying networks that will position them to respond to market demands, drive new revenues and keep operational costs down," said Vic Cervantes, managing director, Mexico and Central America, Nortel Networks. "With this first implementation of GSM in Guatemala, SERCOM will be positioned to leverage its previous investments while offering outstanding additional services in the market."

Posted to the site on 1st October 2003