Ericsson and Telcel have announced an agreement for the deployment of a nationwide GSM/GPRS network in Mexico and to continue the rapid rollout of TDMA voice service. The agreement will provide Telcel with the largest cellular network in Latin America, combining TDMA and GSM/GPRS technology.
Under the terms of the turnkey agreement, Ericsson will build, operate and transfer to Telcel a complete GSM/GPRS voice and mobile Internet solution.
The first phase of the new network is scheduled to be in commercial operation by the third quarter of 2001, with transfer of the system planned for mid 2002. Telcel is the first service provider in Mexico to deploy GSM/GPRS.
"This agreement includes the complete Ericsson GSM portfolio from pre- paid voice to advanced GPRS mobile Internet with applications enablers, mobile positioning and more," said Roland Nordgren, CEO of Ericsson Mexico.
Under the agreement, Telcel will also continue to expand its TDMA network. Telcel currently has more than 10 million subscribers.
"We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Telcel that started over ten years ago," adds Roland Nordgren. "This new agreement will result in Telcel becoming the first operator to deploy GSM/GPRS in Mexico, with the largest GSM/GPRS network in Latin America. This is one of the biggest contracts signed by Ericsson in recent years."
"An aggressive roll-out during 2001 is key for us, and we selected Ericsson as the turn-key supplier both due to their industry-leading solutions and their proven capability to provide turn-key solutions," said Daniel Hajj, CEO of Telcel.
"The move is particularly important as we look ahead to third generation services and the future implementation of EDGE with UMTS as a next step," added Daniel Hajj. "The new GSM/GPRS network will provide Telcel with enhanced services that will satisfy the ever more demanding consumer in Mexico."
[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]
Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group