Equipment and services leader to deliver and manage about 70% of operator’s 3G network.
Subscribers of Vodafone Essar, one of India’s leading cellular service providers, will soon enjoy mobile broadband and improved voice services, thanks to its new 3G network. Vodafone Essar has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to supply, implement and manage its 3G network in six of the nine circles* – Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh (East), rest of West Bengal and Haryana – where it secured 3G spectrum. As the operator’s major 2G vendor, Nokia Siemens Networks aims to exploit the clear evolution path from GSM to deploy 3G rapidly and efficiently.
“Globally, Vodafone already provides enhanced 3G services to a large number of customers. Now India is ready for 3G, and we are committed to bringing these benefits to our Indian subscribers,” said Marten Pieters, managing director, Vodafone Essar. “Nokia Siemens Networks is the 3G leader and we view our relationship as a strategic alliance built around delivering and maintaining the high-quality service which Vodafone customers expect.”
“We are committed to implementing a smart 3G network for Vodafone Essar based on combining our global experience with local expertise and resources,” said Urs Pennanen, head of Nokia Siemens Networks in India. “We are fully geared-up for a speedy implementation of the 3G network, optimizing existing GSM technology to reduce the total cost of ownership for the operator. Subscribers can expect exciting new mobile broadband services and seamless interoperability between 2G and 3G networks.”
Nokia Siemens Networks will supply to Vodafone Essar its energy-efficient radio and core network technology. Apart from this, it will also provide related services including network planning and project management to enable fast and high-quality 3G network implementation.
Nokia Siemens Networks will also operate the 3G network for three years under a managed services contract to enable simplified operations, improved network efficiency and consistent service delivery. Nokia Siemens Networks will use its own NetAct network management system to monitor and optimize its network performance.
