Softbank, NSN Team up for LTE, HSPA+ Network Deployment in Japan
April 20, 2012
Softbank Mobile announced on April 16, 2012 that the company decided to choose NSN (Nokia Siemens Networks) as a supplier for LTE (Long Term Evolution) equipment and services, according to a report by Total Telecom. As per the contract signed between the two parties, NSN is projected to provide FDD-LTE (Frequency Division Duplex-LTE) base stations, microwave backhaul gear, and network implementation and system integration services. It is reported that Softbank aims to launch new LTE services by fall this year. The two companies also inked a deal for Softbank's HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Plus) network expansion. Softbank received the license of 900MHz in early March this year, and the company plans to deploy approximately 41,000 base stations by fiscal year 2016 and reach 99.9% population coverage.