Nokia Siemens Networks and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom recently announced a 3G network expansion and service contract, valued at 61.5 million Euros (US$86.8 million; US$1 = 0.7 Euros), whereby Nokia Siemens Networks will offer a hybrid backhaul solution for Chunghwa Telecom to speed up the rollout of HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) service.

According to Nikkei Electronics Asia, this expansion contract is slated for completion by September 2008. Upon completion, Chunghwa Telecom will be able to offer its subscribers enhanced HSDPA Internet connection at data transmission rates of 3.6, 7.2, and 10.7Mbps, along with improved 3G network coverage.

Pursuant to the agreement, this comprehensive solution is expected to include services such as turnkey network implementation and system integration, training services for Chunghwa Telecom's staff, maintenance services for software and hardware, as well as a multitechnology NetAct system, envisaged to facilitate centralized management rapid services.