Ericsson has been selected by Hong Kong's SmarTone-Vodafone as the sole supplier for a three year network expansion contract. Under the terms of the agreement, Ericsson will be the sole supplier of a HSPA-enabled radio access network, including Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), a functionality that enables mobile-TV services to be broadcast. The deal also includes a fully IP-based core network, including IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Ericsson's Mobile Softswitch Solution, and Redback's SmartEdge routers.
Ericsson will also be responsible for a range of professional services, such as, network design, systems integration, spare parts management service, support services, as well as network deployment and integration.
Douglas Li, CEO of SmarTone-Vodafone, says: "This move will empower us to bring richer and more sophisticated services to cater to customers' ever-changing demands and growing expectations. In the very near future, our customers can look forward to an even greater array of compelling multimedia services with superior user experience. Ericsson's advanced products and solutions will strengthen our network capability and capacity, strengthening our position as one of the most advanced networks in the world."
Ericsson is the sole supplier of SmarTone-Vodafone's core and radio networks, including GPRS and WCDMA/HSPA.
SmarTone-Vodafone is the 4th placed network - out of five - in the country and according to figures from The Mobile World, ended last year with just over 1.1 million customers. This represents a market share of 10.5%.
Posted to the site on 3rd April 2008
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/30291.php