SAUDI ARABIA
L.M. Ericsson and Saudi Telecommunications Co. signed a letter of intent for a major expansion and upgrade of STC’s existing Global System for Mobile communications network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement, valued at more than $300 million, calls for Ericsson to deliver a full GSM infrastructure and service portfolio on a turnkey basis, enabling STC to carry out the rapid introduction of advanced Intelligent Network services, including prepaid, Wireless Application Protocol and mobile Internet. Ericsson noted that when completed, the upgrade will more than double the number of GSM lines in Saudi Arabia to more than two million lines. The upgrade also includes a nationwide wireless emergency roadside phone system.
TAJIKSTAN
MCTR, a Washington-based provider of cellular telephone service in the former Soviet Union through joint ventures with local partners, announced that its Tajik-American venture, Somoncom, initiated commercial service of the first Global System for Mobile communications cellular system in the Republic of Tajikistan. Somoncom’s new digital network will provide automatic access for both international and domestic long-distance services, in addition to local cellular service, according to MCTR. “We are excited about this opportunity to take part in introducing advanced mobile communications for the next millennium to Tajikistan,” said Mamajon Khomidov, the general director of Somoncom. “We are humbled when we see the tremendous potential that this technology can bring to our people, and we are also honored that we have been fortunate to have progressed so far so quickly.”
UNITED KINGDOM
Nokia Corp. said it will supply U.K. operator Thus plc with its Wireless Application Protocol solution, including its Artus Messaging Platform and Short Message Service Centre. Thus hopes to offer wireless Internet services based on WAP by this summer.
ARGENTINA
Teligent Inc., through a partnership with Telecom Ventures, plans to build advanced, fixed-wireless communications networks in Argentina delivering high-speed, low-cost data and Internet services for small and mid-sized businesses. The partnership, representing Teligent’s first entry into the Latin America market, will use radio spectrum in the 24 GHz to 25 GHz band granted to affiliates of Telecom Ventures. The licensed spectrum covers Argentina’s major markets, including Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza and La Plata, and includes 60 percent of Argentina’s businesses. Construction on the new networks is expected to begin immediately in Buenos Aires, according to Teligent.
