GERMANY
U.S. company Danger Inc. announced its first European customer, reporting German operator E-Plus will soon launch Danger’s Hiptop device. The German carrier also plans to offer an unlimited data plan that will enable customers to use the phone’s e-mail, Internet and instant messaging features without per-Megabyte monthly charges. The phone is also available from U.S. operators T-Mobile USA and Suncom and Canada’s Microcell. The phone offers over-the-air updates, allowing operators to easily change content. The phone will retail for $290 in Germany, and flat-rate service pricing will begin at about $23.
INDIA
L.M. Ericsson said it has signed a $150 million contract with India’s TATA Teleservices Ltd. to deploy CDMA2000 1x “limited mobility” services in the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka circles. Ericsson said it will supply an end-to-end network solution to the carrier. “We believe that their CDMA2000 solution will allow us to effectively provide advanced wireless services and meet the demand for capacity growth,” said Firdose Vandrevala, chairman of TTSL.
CHINA
Lucent Technologies Inc. said it has signed contracts worth $20 million with Fujian PTA of China Telecom to expand the operator’s Personal Handyphone System networks in three cities, Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou. The expansion will bring the capacity of the cities to 2.3 million subscribers, said Lucent. The contract involves Lucent’s 5E-XC switch, the first deployment outside North America.
FINLAND
L.M. Ericsson said it signed a contract with Finnish 2G to extend their frame agreement on infrastructure deliveries. The agreement will enable the operator to build a third-generation network to launch new mobile services. The value of the agreement was not disclosed. Under the deal, Ericsson will provide mobile network solutions for GSM, GPRS, EDGE and W-CDMA technology, as well as intelligent network services like mobile positioning and related services. TeliaSonera Finland also announced plans for an EDGE network in the country.
