Vodafone has awarded Nokia a contract to be the supplier of WCDMA 3G network infrastructure to Vodafone Australia and Vodafone New Zealand. Under the agreement, Nokia will provide complete 3G core and radio networks, as well as offer full managed services for network operations. The agreement also allows an option for Vodafone to replace key network elements of Vodafone Australia's existing GSM and GPRS core network with Nokia switching equipment.
With this agreement, Vodafone customers can look forward to enjoying the latest mobile services at the high speeds that 3G makes possible. 3G efficiently delivers the speed and capacity to support the upcoming rich multimedia services, bringing superior performance to mobile content consumers.
Deliveries begin soon, with the launch of 3G services expected to take place in mid-2005.
In addition to the supply and deployment of network equipment, Nokia will provide network planning and optimization, implementation, and other services for fast ramp-up of the solution.
Under the contract, Nokia is also offering 3G network management and maintenance services in an arrangement known as managed services, including network monitoring, maintenance, and management. Furthermore, Nokia NetAct(TM) functionalities for network and service management are included to improve operational efficiency.
"We are very satisfied with Nokia's 3G offering, both equipment and services," says Jeni Mundy, Technology Director, Vodafone New Zealand. "Nokia has shown great commitment to our requirements for quality systems at competitive cost. Also, Nokia shares our vision of the importance of readiness for the future. We are confident that 3G will bring added benefits for our customers."
"We're happy to be working with Vodafone to roll out 3G to these important markets," says Mika Vehvilainen, Senior Vice President, Networks, Nokia. "In Australia and New Zealand, WCDMA 3G is the most important step in a decade of mobile service evolution. We're pleased that Vodafone has recognized the benefits of our managed services solutions."
Nokia has been the sole GSM network vendor for Vodafone New Zealand, while Vodafone Australia is a new network customer for Nokia.
