4G backhaul deal worth $29 million
Avanti Communications, a provider of satellite data communications services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, won a contract to supply U.K. mobile operator EE with satellite capacity for “4G” backhaul. Under the terms of the agreement, Avanti will connect a number of cellular sites across the U.K. to EE’s network using the HYLAS 1 and 2 satellites to provide communications in remote areas and additional network resilience.
Avanti said the first phase of this multiyear contract has an initial value of $29 million, plus options to double the capacity.
“We have designed the HYLAS satellite fleet to offer the highest levels of network quality and flexibility, beyond the levels that have been previously available via satellite. This contract win demonstrates those qualities,” said Avanti CEO David Williams.
“We are delivering a highly resilient, truly nationwide 4G network and Avanti will play a key part in providing resilience and extending this network into rural areas,” added Mansoor Hanif, director of radio access networks at EE.
EE ended the first quarter of the year with 30.6 million mobile subscribers across the U.K. In recent months, the telco had made available its LTE services in Bristol, Hatfield, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast. EE recently announced plans to extend its LTE coverage from 60% today to 95% by 2020. The mobile operator currently offers LTE services through spectrum in the 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands.
U.K. telecom operator BT completed its 12.5 billion pound ($18 billion) acquisition for full control of EE earlier this year. EE was previously a joint venture between Deutsche Telekom and Orange.
Turkcell deploys Netcracker’s resource management solution
In other EMEA news, NEC and Netcracker Technology announced Turkish mobile operator Turkcell successfully deployed Netcracker’s Resource Management solution. The deployment is said to allow Turkcell to optimize its infrastructure and reduce operational expenditures by making more efficient use of its network assets and reduce the total cost of ownership by consolidating network and resource information on a single system.
Turkcell currently counts more than 34 million mobile subscribers.
