SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico-Centennial Communications Corp. said it selected Nortel Networks Ltd. to replace and upgrade its existing wireless networks in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with CDMA2000 1x technology. The upgrade is expected to increase subscriber capacity and expand service coverage to help address growing subscriber demand for wireless data services, the carrier said.
The value of the contract was not disclosed, but the carrier said Nortel will deploy both core and access network equipment. The initial phase of the project is expected to be complete by July 2005. Centennial also selected Nortel in 2003 to deploy a CDMA 1x network in the Dominican Republic.
The new network will be fully 1x EV-DO ready, said Centennial.
“Centennial is committed to offering its wireless customers the best quality and most advanced service options,” said Michael J. Small, chief executive officer of Centennial. “We are strengthening our network leadership by improving the reach, reliability, performance and capabilities of our wireless infrastructure, a key differentiator for our heavy-usage wireless customers in this region.”
Centennial also announced that John de Armas, its president of Caribbean operations, is leaving the company for personal reasons.
“Under John’s leadership, our Caribbean operations have experienced significant growth and improvement,” said Small. “John’s keen understanding of the Caribbean market and his enthusiasm for and commitment to Centennial’s vision and values will be missed. We thank John for his many contributions to Centennial and wish him success in the future.”
