Motorola to Deploy WiMAX Network for Mobilink

Motorola announced a deal with Mobilink to deploy a WiMAX 802.16e-2005 network for the mobile operator in Pakistan. Under the agreement, Motorola will be responsible with the design, planning, deployment and optimization of the WiMAX network; and will also provide Mobilink with integration and support services, as well as indoor and outdoor customer premises equipment.

Covering major metropolitan areas such as Lahore and Islamabad, the new WiMAX network will enable Mobilink to enhance its current service offering high speed broadband and VoIP services. This is Motorola's second WiMAX 802.16e network in Pakistan, with the first being a nationwide WiMAX/IMS network awarded in 2006. This is also Motorola's fourth commercial WiMAX deployment in the Middle East and Africa region.

"Over the last 14 years of our collaboration, Motorola has developed a solid understanding of Mobilink's business strategy and has effectively supported us in growing our subscriber base to almost 30 million subscribers with reliable and innovative GSM technology solutions", said Zouhair Khaliq, president and CEO of Mobilink. "As we adopt new technologies to meet evolving customer needs, we wanted to work with a trusted wireless broadband solutions provider. Motorola was a natural choice to support us in designing and deploying our 802.16e WiMAX network in Pakistan to offer our growing customer base next-generation broadband services."

The benefits of the WiMAX network to Mobilink's customer base will include rapid broadband access in geographic areas where broadband coverage was not previously available. WiMAX is anticipated to offer affordable broadband as well as a convenient end-user solution with unified pre-paid billing.

"Today's announcement with Mobilink and Orascom Telecom for WiMAX highlights both the long-term viability of this solution and the vibrancy of Pakistan's communications sector", said Ali Amer, sales vice president, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility. "This is another example of Motorola's continued commitment to bringing the latest technology to Pakistan, from delivering the first GSM network in 1994 to the country's first nationwide WIMAX 802.16e network in 2006."