Nokia and Orange Communications SA have renewed existing agreements for the supply of a complete WCDMA 3G network for the whole of Switzerland. Nokia will be the supplier of both core and radio-access networks for 3G for Orange Switzerland. Nokia has previously supplied WCDMA 3G networks to Orange UK and Orange France. In addition, the company's latest WCDMA smartphone, the Nokia 6630, will be included in Orange Group's offering of 3G products.
Deployment of the Nokia WCDMA 3G system has already begun and it will be ready for use by the year end.
Under the agreement, Nokia will provide a complete core and radio-access network, including a number of Nokia MetroSite Base Stations and a full core network, including both circuit- and packet-switching products. Also included is an option to deploy the Nokia MSC Server to modernize Orange Switzerland's core network.
For deployment, Nokia will provide a range of services, including project management, radio network implementation, commissioning and optimization, as well as network integration. Also included are technical support, spare part management and training services to keep the solution running at peak performance. The system is supported by Nokia NetAct (TM), the only fully featured, multi-vendor, multi-technology operations support system on a single platform.
In addition, Orange Switzerland will be using the Nokia NetActä Service Quality Manager for network and service monitoring, allowing it to monitor its MMS, SMS, GPRS and GSM services from the subscriber's point of view.
"3G is central to our plans for offering superior service to our customer all across Switzerland," said Andreas Wetter, CEO, Orange Switzerland. "Deployment here is challenging, both in terrain and timetable, which is why we have thoroughly considered our 3G vendor selection. We are absolutely confident that Nokia, with its quality 3G solution and wide roll-out experience, is up to the task of meeting our high standards and deadlines."
"We are delighted that after a complete re-evaluation of the WCDMA RAN supply market, Orange Switzerland has selected Nokia as the only supplier to its network," said Tommi Uitto, Sales Director Orange CBT, Networks, Nokia. "This demonstrates the competitiveness of our 3G core and radio network solution, with compatibility and evolution from GSM/EDGE to WCDMA/HSDPA and Release 4 MSC Server, as well as the value that Orange Switzerland places on the ability of our local operations to serve its business."
Nokia has been a complete GSM supplier to Orange Switzerland since 1998. The Swiss operator's GSM network covers 99% of the population and serves over 1 million subscribers.
As part of its end-to-end WCDMA 3G offering, Nokia has joined Orange Group in hosting the Series 60 Developer Challenge competition, which is generating new applications for Orange's 3G networks.
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