Alcatel-Lucent has reached agreement on a Euro 22 million deal with Vodacom, the South African mobile operator, to design, build and deploy an upgrade of its existing 3G network, building on a relationship of more than 15-years, between the two companies.
Upon commercial launch, this network upgrade and modernization project will boost the capacity and coverage of Vodacom’s network and will enable the growing wireless carrier to offer its customers a wide range of advanced next-generation mobile broadband services in future.
The enhanced 3G wireless network, based on Alcatel-Lucent UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and HSDPA/HSUPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access/High Speed Uplink Packet Access) technologies, will improve Vodacom’s network voice-quality and data-transmission speeds, while further strengthening indoor coverage in urban areas.
Alcatel-Lucent will supply Vodacom with its UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), based on an evolving multi-standard radio access solution, including radio network controllers, node B base stations and a flexible wireless network management system.
Alcatel-Lucent’s radio access solution enables mobile operators such as Vodacom to support several standards, including GSM, EDGE and EDGE+ and to introduce new technologies in future, including W-CDMA, HSPA, HSPA+ and LTE with a smooth evolution path to meet their market needs. The company will also provide installation, commissioning, program management, on-site training, network rollout and integration.
“Achieving an improved end-user experience with superior mobile voice and high-speed mobile broadband data services is our key objective in expanding our 3G network,” said Andries Delport, Executive Director – Engineering and Technology, Vodacom South Africa. “Continuing to provide our customers with the highest quality of innovative mobile services requires us to partner with a reliable partner such as Alcatel-Lucent, which has a proven track-record in technology innovation. This project will also provide us with the ability to leverage the investment we have in our existing network to meet the growing demand of our customers for advanced services.”
Alcatel-Lucent’s W-CDMA/HSPA advanced wireless solutions will further support Vodacom’s efforts to simplify network operations, reduce operating expenses while enabling the operator to deliver advanced, next-generation mobile services to its customers.
Alcatel-Lucent has deployed commercial 3G (UMTS/HSPA and CDMA2000) systems for more than 70 operators worldwide. Alcatel-Lucent is also a world leader in the design, deployment, management and integration of networks.