14 DAY TRIAL // Ericsson and IDEA Cellular, an Indian mobile operator, have announced signing a three-year contract for the GSM expansion in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh telecom circles.
Under the agreement, Ericsson is to provide radio access, microwave transmission and next-gen mobile softswitch network architecture until November 2009.
Ericsson will be the sole supplier and is meant to help IDEA build a state-of-the-art EDGE capable mobile network across the five circles. Considering this, IDEA will be able to make a smooth transition to a 3G mobile network as the 3G spectrum allocation is finalized.
Sanjeev Aga, Managing Director, IDEA Cellular, says: "We are pleased to be working with Ericsson to expand our GSM network. The expansion prepares us well for the switch to a 3G-ready network when the time is right."
IDEA Cellular has licenses to operate in 12 telecom circles in India and currently has a customer base of over 12 million, which covers just about 60 percent of India's potential telecom market.
Its partnership with Ericsson is quite logical, as Ericsson is currently providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries and helping create the most powerful communication companies in the world, also shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership.
Mats Granryd, Managing Director, Ericsson India, says: "IDEA's expansion in the five circles will include remote rural areas, which present unique challenges. We have been partners with IDEA since it started operations in India, and we are happy to be taking this partnership to a new level of commitment."