Nokia wins USD 150 million GSM/GPRS expansion contract with Henan MCC in China
Nokia and Henan Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. (Henan MCC), one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of China Mobile (HK) Limited, have signed a deal worth USD 150 million to expand GSM and GPRS networks in the Henan province in the central part of China. This is the 11th GSM expansion of Henan MCC and will significantly enhance network coverage and capacity in the province, especially in the rural area.
Under the agreement, Nokia will supply Henan MCC with GSM/GPRS radio and core network, including the Nokia MSC Server mobile softswitch. The Nokia NetAct(TM) network and service management system will support the network, and Nokia will provide network planning, implementation, commissioning, training, and care services. Deliveries will start immediately and the network will be operational by the end of September 2006.
“We are delighted to continue our long-term cooperation with Nokia, who, as a world leading end-to-end solution provider, enables us to maintain high-quality network and provide better customer experience. Through this expansion, we will be able to bring the excitement of mobile communications to more people in the province and prepare for future growth,” says Yuan Jianguo, General Manager, Henan MCC.
“Nokia is fully committed to providing high-quality solutions and services to our customers,” says James Lin, Vice President, Networks, Nokia China. “The expansion will enable Henan MCC to increase its customer base and bring about more customer delight by enhancing voice and data services. It also prepares Henan MCC for future network evolution.”
Nokia has been Henan MCC’s major supplier for every GSM expansion since 1995. Nokia is the operator’s sole GSM/GPRS core network supplier and a major supplier of Henan MCC’s radio network.
Nokia is a leading GSM network supplier in the Chinese market with over 20 provincial customers. With close to 100 customers for its mobile softswitching, Nokia has delivered the majority of the world’s commercial 3GPP-compliant mobile softswitching, and has to date 20 million lines installed in the China area.