O2 and Nokia Siemens Networks Team Up for Southern UK Network Upgrade

A few days after announcing plans to deploy one of the largest public Wi-Fi networks in the UK, O2 is also improving coverage and capacity, as the carrier has just hired Nokia Siemens Networks with a three-year contract.

Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will modernize the Telefónica O2 UK radio network, expanding capacity, coverage and performance using the vendor’s Flexi Multiradio Base Station and Radio Network Controller.

“Smartphone users want to stay connected to the network all the time, and are increasingly demanding high-speed data services,” said Nigel Purdy, CTO, O2 UK.

“Nokia Siemens Networks fully understands our requirements to fulfill the expectations of our smartphone customers. We have a long-standing relationship with the company and based on its past track record, we rely on its expertise in expanding and modernizing our 3G network to deliver the best possible experience to our customers,” added Purdy.

Even though Nokia Siemens Networks is the sole vendor for O2's GSM network, it seems that only two-thirds of the carrier's 3G access network in the UK, covering the south of England is provided by Nokia.

“We are committed to providing our radio equipment to power O2’s great network and increasing coverage and capacity for Telefónica O2 UK,” said Rob Stent, head of customer team for Telefónica O2 UK and Ireland at Nokia Siemens Networks.

“Our Flexi Multiradio Base Station is recognized as the market leader. The hardware being delivered now, as well as providing O2 customers with faster data rates and better connectivity, will also allow support for future LTE services with a simple software upgrade,” added Stent.

In addition to the solutions provided, Nokia Siemens Networks will also cover services including network implementation, project management, advanced technical support and consultancy services.

Nokia Siemens Networks is also expected to provide O2 with Serve atOnce Traffica solution, which continuously monitors service quality, helping O2 monitor and respond to its network customers.