T-Mobile USA Inc. signed a $500 million contract with L.M. Ericsson to expand and upgrade its wireless network to support GPRS and EDGE data services.
The deal calls for Ericsson to deploy GSM, GPRS and EDGE radio access equipment and associated services in two new markets for T-Mobile USA in Western Virginia and parts of New England. In addition, Ericsson will upgrade and expand the carrier’s core network infrastructure, radio access equipment and associated services in 18 markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C, where Ericsson equipment is already installed.
Ericsson also said it will deploy Adaptive Multi Rate technology, which is designed to increase radio access capacity and improve quality, across T-Mobile USA’s network.
T-Mobile USA announced a similar network upgrade contract earlier this year with Nortel Networks Ltd., which was valued at $300 million during four years and a deal last year with Nokia Corp. valued at $300 million over three years.
