Plans launch this year
TORONTO-Canadian wireless carrier Bell Mobility signed an estimated $126 million multi-year contract with Nortel Networks Ltd. for 1x and 1x EV-DO equipment.
With what is expected to be the first commercial deployment in Canada of an EV-DO network, Bell Mobility customers will be able to download data at speeds of up to 2.4 megabits per second with average speeds of 300 to 500 kilobits per second. Bell Mobility announced its EV-DO network plans in December 2004, and the company expects to offer initial EV-DO services in select markets this year.
“Nortel is making it possible for us to deliver on our commitment to offer subscribers the latest and most advanced wireless services available today,” said Almis Ledas, vice president of corporate development for Bell Mobility, a wholly owned division of Bell Canada. “The EV-DO network will offer Canada’s fastest wireless experience and deliver leading-edge innovation to the market to revolutionize the way Canadians use their mobile devices.”
Nortel said it supplies EV-DO equipment to 12 of the 19 worldwide operators that currently offer commercial EV-DO service.
Under the agreement with Bell Mobility, Nortel will provide CDMA2000 1x radio base stations, base station controllers, switching platforms and other related equipment. Nortel will also supply Bell Mobility with CDMA2000 1x EV-DO equipment for initial deployment in Toronto and Montreal.
