NEC Corporation (NEC) and its third generation (3G) partner Siemens Communications, today announced that they are assisting Hutchison 3G Ireland (trading as “3 Ireland”) in deploying its W-CDMA/UMTS 3G network. The announcement represents the eight Hutchison 3G network deployment that NEC and Siemens have been involved in.
As the supplier of 3 Ireland’s W-CDMA/UMTS radio access network (UTRAN), the contract includes the delivery of a full complement of Node-B radio base stations and radio network controllers with an aim to providing ubiquitous 3G network coverage for 3 customers around Ireland. 3 formally launched its 3G service in Ireland on July 26th, 2005, and currently provides 3G coverage for 60% of the Irish population, and voice and text coverage for 99.5% of the population.
As an existing supplier of its 3G network solutions to Hutchison 3G in Austria, Hong Kong, Italy and the UK, NEC and Siemens are further developing their strategic relationship with Hutchison 3G, which launched Europe's first 3G networks in Italy and the UK.
The implementation of the W-CDMA/UMTS network from NEC and Siemens allows 3’s video mobile users in Ireland to access extremely high data speeds (up to 384 kbps) which will facilitate fast and easy access to next generation data services, including advanced audio, video and interactive gaming services and content.
NEC will also deliver a large number of units of its point-to-point wireless access system “PASOLINK”. “PASOLINK” is a PDH/SDH microwave system and, due to the rapid expansion of mobile networks globally, operators are deploying “PASOLINK” to connect radio base stations to facilitate the reliable and speedy installation of 3G mobile infrastructure. Worldwide sales of NEC’s PASOLINK exceeded 200,000 units in 2004.
