OSLO, Norway-Norwegian mobile carrier Telenor Mobil said it is upgrading its GSM network with EDGE technology, although it emphasized that EDGE is not a replacement for its ongoing UMTS rollout.
“By combining the two technologies, we will more quickly be able to offer a high-speed network with excellent quality and coverage where the customers need it,” said Karlsen Sorby, adding that EDGE will be an expansion of its third-generation W-CDMA network.
Nokia Corp. and L.M. Ericsson will supply the equipment for the EDGE network, although the financial details were not released.
Nokia said its agreement covers the immediate delivery of equipment and services required for increasing GSM traffic and the activation of EDGE services providing high-speed advanced mobile services to Telenor Mobil’s 2.3 million subscribers.
Ericsson said it will provide a complete EDGE network infrastructure, and deliveries have begun.