Unitech Wireless awards GPRS contract to Nokia Siemens

Nokia Siemens Networks has been selected by Unitech Wireless as its exclusive pan-India supplier to roll out and manage its GPRS core network under a three-year contract. Unitech Wireless had earlier selected Huawei to supply basic GSM-based network for voice communications in a few circles. GPRS network is utilised to offer data services on mobile handsets for which NSN will supply the equipment. The deal size of the contract was not disclosed. “Get technology, costs and speed that is better than competition and get the most competent partner to manage these for us. Invest what we save in building our brand by creating better products and better customer service and become the preferred SIM. This is our model, and we found Nokia Siemens Networks a perfect fit,” said Mr Stein-Erik Vellan, Managing Director, Unitech Wireless. The company is expected to launch services by this year-end. Unitech Wireless is a joint venture between Unitech and Finland-based telecom firm Telenor. Nokia Siemens Networks will provide an entire gamut of services ranging from network implementation and network operations. “The mobile data surge is happening now,” added Mr Urs Pennanen, Head of India region at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Gearing up for launch by end of this year, our solution will enable Unitech Wireless to meet the demands of increased user traffic — both from a service and cost point of view. For us, this partnership is especially significant since it proves we are the clear number one for packet core implementations in the Indian market.” Nokia Siemens Networks will implement IP/Multi Protocol Layer Switching technology and design an end-to-end packet core network with high resiliency and performance. Taken from Business Line