Hanoi Telecom Inks Separate GSM Network Upgrade Deals with Ericsson, Huawei
September 12, 2008
Vietnamese Hanoi Telecom Mobile, a joint venture between Hanoi Telecom and US-based Hutchison Telecom, has selected Swedish Ericsson and Chinese Huawei to revamp its GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) network in Vietnam, according to Thanh Nien Daily of Vietnam. The three-year contract is valued at US$600 million, of which Ericsson won US$400 million and Huawei won the remaining US$200 million, VietNamNet Bridget reported.
Overall, Ericsson and Huawei will deliver more than 5,000 base transceiver stations, which are currently under construction, in a bid to set up a new nationwide eGSM (Electronic GSM) network for Hanoi Telecom Mobile.
As per the agreement, Ericsson will provide management, operation, and network design services to Hanoi Telecom Mobile, helping the telecom's network migrate from CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) to GSM/EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution). The eGSM network constructed by Ericsson is slated for commercialization at year-end 2008. Deliverables include radio access network equipment, optical and microwave transmission, and all-IP circuit and packet core network, Nikkei Electronics Asia reported. Further details regarding the Hanoi-Huawei agreement were not disclosed.