ULYSSES, Kan.-Rural telecommunications provider WestLink Communications signed a deal with Nokia Corp. to replace the company’s existing GSM network with Nokia’s GSM/GPRS/EDGE core and radio access network equipment and expand WestLink’s coverage footprint by as much as 70 percent.
The deal, which calls for Nokia to become the sole system supplier for WestLink, includes a complete GSM core and radio access network, EDGE-capable UltraSite base stations, Nokia’s GPRS core network and Short Message Service Center. In addition, Nokia said it will supply its NetAct network and service management system, provide implementation services for the network elements and a five-year care agreement.
“Deployment of this world-class GSM solution will bring increased customer satisfaction not only to our customers but also for our roaming partners who use the network,” said Bill Hayden, director of wireless operations for WestLink.
Nokia said system deliveries have already begun, and the network is expected to be operational by the end of this year. Financial terms of the agreement were not released.
Nokia announced a similar deal last month with Midwest-based rural operator Viaero Wireless to replace the carrier’s CDMA network with a GSM-based system.
