Nokia Corp., Motorola Inc. and L.M. Ericsson all announced infrastructure contracts Monday.
Nokia said it will supply High-Speed Downlink Packet Access gear to Kuwaiti mobile operator Wataniya Telecom. Nokia said it will also modernize Wataniya’s GSM network to create an EDGE layer to support advanced services outside third-generation coverage.
Wataniya Telecom has 3 million subscribers in Kuwait.
Nokia did not disclose the value of the agreement
Motorola said it won an $80 million one-year frame agreement with Mobile TeleSystems, the largest mobile operator in Russia. Under the agreement, Motorola will supply GSM/GPRS infrastructure for increased coverage area and capacity across the Moscow region, Central Russia and the Urals.
Motorola said about $20 million of this revenue has already been recognized so far this year.
“This is the largest contract we have signed with MTS during our 11-year relationship and extends the areas in which we work together yet further with expansion into the Urals region,” commented Margaret Rice-Jones, corporate vice president and region management, Motorola Networks EMEA. “We look forward to supporting MTS’ subscribers as the operator experiences continued growth throughout Russia.”
Last week, L.M. Ericsson announced a $150 million contract with MTS.
Mobitel has selected Ericsson as the exclusive vendor to expand its GSM network in Sri Lanka. Ericsson will supply both core and radio access network equipment, including GSM 900 MHz, GPRS, EDGE, as well as turnkey network design, deployment and integration services.
Ericsson said the agreement complements the GSM 1800 MHz contract that was previously awarded to Ericsson. The current contract together with the existing GSM 1800 MHz network, will enable Mobitel to more than double its network capacity. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
