Ericsson awarded $1 bn contract by BSNL

Mumbai, Sep 8: Ericsson, a leading telecom provider, has been awarded a turnkey contract valued at 1 billion dollars to supply GSM and WCDMA/HSPA equipments and related telecom services to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the largest telecom operator in the country.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for the expansion and upgrading of BSNL's existing GSM network and introduction of WCDMA/HSPA functionality. This upgrade marks an important step in BSNL's network evolution and sets the stage for end-customer access to a range of innovative telecommunications.

Ericsson will supply a GSM and WCDMA/HSPA radio access network, transmission equipments and a complete GSM/WCDMA common core network including the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution, service-aware Packet Core and a multi-service IP Packet Backbone Network. Ericsson will also deliver telecom-related services, such as network design, deployment and systems integration.

Deliveries will start in October 2007, with the first phase of the project set to be completed in 12 months. The contract reinforces Ericsson's leading position in this high-growth market and reflects Ericsson's ambition of offering communications to all.

BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal said, ''This contract represents a milestone in our long-standing relationship with Ericsson. Upgrading our network will pave the way for a premium communications experience for our customers, and enable us to address new customer segments cost-efficiently.'' Having supplied 49 out of 96 operational GSM mobile networks in India, Ericsson today has a market share of about 40 per cent in terms of connected subscribers.

UNI