China
Metawave Communications Corp. announced it entered into an agreement with
Shanghai Post & Telecommunications Administration and Shanghai New Globe Co. to develop and test a Metawave
smart-antenna system for Global System for Mobile communication networks, and for the trial of the system in
Shanghai Telecom’s GSM network in Shanghai. The Metawave GSM smart-antenna system is expected to increase
capacity in GSM networks. The company also markets the SpotLight 2000 system, designed for Code Division
Multiple Access and analog networks.
Turkey
Ericsson Inc. said it signed a $520 million contract to be the sole
supplier to expand Turkcell’s Global System for Mobile communications network in Turkey. With new competition and
the startup of prepaid services, Turkcell’s network is rapidly expanding. Ericsson said it will provide GSM system
solutions to maintain Turkcell’s status as the largest GSM operator in Turkey.
Belgium
Mobistar, a Global
System for Mobile communications operator in Belgium, said it selected Nortel Networks to provide approximately
$30 million in advanced radio technology, allowing Mobistar to accelerate deployment of its national GSM 900
network. Nortel said it will install and maintain cell sites and upgrade existing ones. The new equipment is scheduled to
be deployed during the first half of the year.
Canada
ADC Telecommunications Inc. announced its
Metrica/network performance reporting management solution has been chosen by Clearnet Communications Inc. for
use with Clearnet’s personal communications services network and its enhanced specialized mobile radio network. The
solution stores large volumes of performance measurement data and provides daily, weekly and monthly reports on
things such as traffic and grade of service, said ADC.
United Kingdom
BCN Data Systems L.L.C., a joint
venture of Bechtel Enterprises Inc. and CellNet Data Systems Inc., announced it has chosen RAM Mobile Data Ltd. in
the United Kingdom as its preferred wide-area-network service provider. Services will include remote metering of
electric, gas and water utilities as well as new billing options.
