Telenor and Nokia sign UMTS contract
Fornebu
3 minute read
Telenor Mobil has entered into a contract with Nokia under which Nokia will supply radio equipment for the development of Telenor Mobils UMTS network for third-generation mobile communication in Norway.
«It was important to get this agreement in place now, so that we can be sure of keeping to our schedule for the UMTS opening this autumn. This is also important for turning Norway into a showcase for third-generation mobile communication», said Ingvild Myhre, managing director of Telenor Mobil.
Framework agreement
The agreement entered into today is a framework contract for the delivery of parts of the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) radio network. The radio network is to function together with the core network, which will be supplied by Ericsson.
Telenor has chosen to use two infrastructure suppliers in order to reduce the risk involved in the development. Ericsson signed an agreement with Telenor Mobil in December to deliver the core network and parts of the radio network. Nokia and Ericsson have undertaken to carry out an extensive test programme with the aim of full interaction when the network is launched this autumn.
«We have cooperated with both Ericsson and Nokia for several years, and have good experience with both of them, so we feel confident that this will go well», said Ingvild Myhre.
Opens this autumn
The work of developing the UMTS network will start shortly and, according to the license conditions, Telenor will open the network in November this year. Almost 170,000 people will then have coverage where they live. Development work will thereafter continue, and all built-up areas in Norway are to have full coverage by December 2005.
The third-generation network will allow for new services and solutions, but will also function closely with the GSM/GPRS network. Most services will be created so that they work in both networks and utilize the individual networks properties to the full. This opportunity to use "3G services", although in a slightly reduced form, in the second-generation network, is particularly important during the UMTS development phase.
Framework agreement
The agreement entered into today is a framework contract for the delivery of parts of the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) radio network. The radio network is to function together with the core network, which will be supplied by Ericsson.
Telenor has chosen to use two infrastructure suppliers in order to reduce the risk involved in the development. Ericsson signed an agreement with Telenor Mobil in December to deliver the core network and parts of the radio network. Nokia and Ericsson have undertaken to carry out an extensive test programme with the aim of full interaction when the network is launched this autumn.
«We have cooperated with both Ericsson and Nokia for several years, and have good experience with both of them, so we feel confident that this will go well», said Ingvild Myhre.
Opens this autumn
The work of developing the UMTS network will start shortly and, according to the license conditions, Telenor will open the network in November this year. Almost 170,000 people will then have coverage where they live. Development work will thereafter continue, and all built-up areas in Norway are to have full coverage by December 2005.
The third-generation network will allow for new services and solutions, but will also function closely with the GSM/GPRS network. Most services will be created so that they work in both networks and utilize the individual networks properties to the full. This opportunity to use "3G services", although in a slightly reduced form, in the second-generation network, is particularly important during the UMTS development phase.