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BellSouth New Zealand and Nokia Sign Major Network Expansion Agreement
July 04, 1997
Mobile phone company BellSouth and Nokia Telecommunications have signed a major agreement which will help expand BellSouth’s GSM Digital network over the next two years.
BellSouth’s General Manager Engineering, Arthur Neely says the new contract is estimated to be worth around $NZ50 million (USD 35 million) and is part of BellSouth’s accelerated coverage expansion programme.
Under the new agreement, Nokia will supply high capacity mobile switching centres and the latest generation of Nokia base station subsystems in the three main centres, together with installation, commissioning and support services.
“Nokia has always been BellSouth’s preferred supplier and this new contract reflects an on-going strategic alliance with Nokia and further cements our relationship”, says Mr Neely.
Account Manager for Nokia Telecommunications (New Zealand), Andrew Button says the contract is a continuation of the excellent relationship that has been formed between the two companies over the past five years.
“It will enable BellSouth to expand its coverage whilst continuing to provide a very high quality network for its growing customer base. We believe that Nokia’s leadership in GSM technology together with BellSouth’s market awareness will see the very best range of cellular services made available for BellSouth’s new and existing customers”, says Mr Button.
BellSouth New Zealand began to build its GSM network in late 1992, and launched its service four years ago this month. Nokia is the sole system supplier for both digital switches and base stations. The network covers around 93% of the population.
With net sales totalling USD 8.5 billion in 1996, Nokia employs over 33 000 people in 45 countries. Nokia Telecommunications develops and manufactures infrastructure equipment and systems for cellular and fixed networks. Nokia is the world's largest supplier of GSM 1800 networks and one of the two largest suppliers in GSM 900, as well as being a market leader in mobile data infrastructure.
Nokia also provides operators with comprehensive support in building, operating and developing both cellular and fixed networks. Nokia's GSM technology has been delivered to 58 operators in 32 countries.
Further information:
Mr Mark Champion, Corporate Communications Manager,
BellSouth: + 64 9 357 4849
Mobile: + 64 21 753 843
Nokia Telecommunications, Communications Department
Tel.(Int.) + 358 9 5113 8198
Fax. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199
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