Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has been selected by Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) to expand and enhance its GSM/WCDMA/HSPA networks, providing the operator’s mobile customers with greater coverage and higher data speeds. The contract is worth US$160million.
Ericsson will provide a complete IP-based radio access and common core network. The system is designed to carry large volumes of traffic, providing SingTel’s 2.6 million mobile customers with improved services and better coverage island-wide, both indoors and outdoors.
With Ericsson’s network improvements, SingTel’s existing High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network will be upgraded to offer download speeds of up to 14.4Mbps (from the current 3.6Mbps) and upload speeds of 5.76Mbps (currently 384kbps).
The enhancements will also put SingTel in good stead for HSPA Evolution, enabling even faster download and upload speeds of up to 42Mbps and 12Mbps respectively within the next 18 months.
Mark Chong Chin Kok, SingTel’s Executive Vice President of Networks, says: “This mobile network enhancement program is part of SingTel’s ongoing efforts to deliver unparalleled, reliable mobile service and coverage to our customers. It also provides SingTel with the flexibility to meet future growth in both usage and demands, especially for mobile data. More and more customers are accessing data and the internet on the move, and they need higher data speeds.
“SingTel, as the market leader, will continue to invest in its network and future-proof it to provide the most compelling service experience to our customers. We are pleased to partner with Ericsson and we are committed to delivering the best technology and services to our customers.”
Ann Emilson, President, Ericsson Singapore, says: “This contract marks another significant step in affirming Ericsson’s strong partnership with and commitment to SingTel. We are proud to be the core provider of SingTel’s network enhancement and to be a key contributor to its continual growth and leadership in Singapore’s telecommunications market.”
Source: Ericsson Press Release