Nokia today introduced the benefits of a GSM technology based wireless local loop (WLL) solution for mobile operators in key WLL markets such as India. As an open standard enjoying huge economies of scale, GSM allows significant savings in CAPEX and OPEX for operators deploying and managing 800 MHz WLL service, making it ideal for providing economical mass-market service in India and other markets.
“We see GSM as a perfectly optimal solution for offering WLL service using the 800 MHz spectrum allocated for this purpose,” says Sanjay Bhasin, Strategy Director, Nokia Networks India. “The economic delivery of voice services to enhance India’s tele-density is our main aim. Revenues per users in these markets tend to be low but usage can be high, which means operators will need the lowest cost solution to ensure success. The cost-effective Nokia GSM 800 WLL solution gives a significant number of operators who need to deliver voice to mass markets -- often to tens or hundreds of millions of customers -- a strong incentive to deploy WLL. GSM is a mass market technology, giving operators clear benefits from global economies of scale.”
“A number of operators in countries like India have shown great interest in the GSM 800 WLL solution, and Nokia is looking into the market potential in other countries as well. In markets where it permissible, the sharing of network infrastructure, sites, processes and personnel, as well as yearly maintenance and upgrade costs bring operational efficiency as well as lower deployment costs. We feel the high-capacity of the Nokia solution and the ease of upgrading to WLL 800 makes GSM a very attractive option for these markets,” he adds.
In the infrastructure-sharing approach, existing GSM networks can be modified to support the 800 MHz WLL band by simple network upgrades, resulting in the most cost-efficient approach to deploying and managing WLL service. Operators can extend their current GSM service to the 800 MHz WLL band to clearly benefit from synergies with their existing network deployment for GSM mobile services. The same standard GSM core and radio network technology, including billing and management solutions, is also used for GSM 800.
This type of a deployment will lower not only the overall capital expenditures even further, but also the operational costs of running the network since one network is able to offer both mobile and WLL services. Such a convergent network deployment methodology will be a crucial advantage for mobile operators. Subscribers of GSM 800 WLL can also enjoy the wide choice of GSM handsets and features available on the market.
“We have recognized that there is a growing need for cost-optimized terminals for emerging markets that have huge potential but also need attractive pricing,” says Nigel Rundstrom, Vice President, Product Management and Business Development, Nokia Mobile Phones Asia Pacific. “The advantages of GSM technology in terms of technology maturity, high volumes providing economies of scale, are now coming to the GSM 800 frequency band as well as GSM 900 and 1800. This will help to further stimulate the Indian market where there is still much room for new subscriber growth.”
GSM, with over 760 million users globally in over 190 countries, is the world’s most popular wireless standard, using open, proven technology and attractive features that bring benefits to subscribers and operators alike.
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Further information:
Timothy Hou, Nokia Networks
Tel. (Int.) +6567231999
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. (Int.) + 358 (0) 7180 38198
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com