Taiwan's FET Inks Separate WiMAX Deals with Motorola, Nortel
October 12, 2007
Taiwanese FET (Far EasTone Telecommunications) recently signed two separate cooperation contracts with Motorola and Nortel for WiMAX network infrastructure and mobile solutions, respectively.
Under the FET-Motorola agreement, Motorola obtained two equipment supply contracts for deploying the WiMAX network infrastructure in northern Taiwan. The overall project is valued at approximately NT$440 million (US$13.5 million; US$1 = NT$32.6), and the first phase is slated for commencement in October, to be completed by year-end 2007. The second phase is scheduled to begin in early 2008, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, FET announced that it has signed a separate WiMAX agreement with Canada-based Nortel Networks, under which Nortel will provide WiMAX solutions for FET to deliver mobile broadband services in Taiwan. These MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output)-based WiMAX solutions include 16e base stations and an ASN (Access Service Network) gateway.
Other than Motorola and Nortel, Alcatel-Lucent is reported to have secured contracts from FET as well, according to Taiwan's Commercial Times. No further details were disclosed, though. According to the same source, FET plans to select one out of these three vendors to build its WiMAX network in southern Taiwan. FET's WiMAX project in southern Taiwan is valued at about NT$5 billion (US$153.5 million).