Elisa Expands Its 3G Networks

Finnish communication service provider Elisa has announced today plans to expand its 3G network so as to be able to deliver faster mobile broadband services to its customers. According to the company, the new network will include HSPA+ capabilities, as well as support for LTE deployments. In addition, the carrier has also announced that the expansion will be made in collaboration with Nokia Siemens Networks, as the company can offer both cost effectiveness and rapidity when it comes to rolling out the latest mobile broadband technology.

“Elisa is a frontrunner in digital mobile communications in Finland. The new extension to our network will help us further improve quality and support faster mobile broadband services to our customers. The solution by Nokia Siemens Networks allows us to always offer the best in class user experience and the most advanced services on the market to our customers,” said Timo Katajisto, executive vice president, Elisa.

According to the agreement between the two companies, Nokia Siemens Networks will deliver to the carrier its energy-efficient Flexi Base Stations, along with the high-capacity RNC 2600 radio network controllers, transport solutions and maintenance services. The configuration, optimization and monitoring of the network will be performed through the NetAct network management system.

“We are extremely happy to be chosen by Elisa to support them in further strengthening their mobile broadband business. Elisa and Nokia Siemens Networks have worked in close collaboration already for decades. This agreement not only extends our role as a key network supplier to Elisa, but additionally the companies will also have closer ties in R&D efforts to always offer the latest technology to Elisa’s customers,” said Mika Vehviläinen, chief operating officer, Nokia Siemens Networks.

The 3G expansion solution from the infrastructure provider will allow Elisa to deploy HSPA+ mobile broadband and to use more efficiently the 900MHz spectrum for both GSM and 3G at the same time. In addition, the power consumption of the network is also expected to be reduced, courtesy of the Flexi Multiradio Base Station. The two companies have also announced that the deliveries already started and that the first stations are in use.