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DPC selects NOKIA to supply their GSM 1800 network
September 30, 1997
The Digital Phone Company Ltd (DPC) and Nokia have signed an agreement for the delivery of a complete GSM 1800 cellular network and transmission system to Thailand. The frame agreement signed will cover the supplies over a period of five years. The value of the first phase deliveries is estimated to be USD 165 million. Nokia is the sole supplier to DPC.
The contract includes the supply of Nokia high capacity mobile switching centres including Intelligent Network capabilities, radio base station subsystems, associated radio and fibre optic transmission systems and the advanced NMS/5000 network management system for overall management of GSM networks. In addition, Nokia is providing a whole scope of engineering services to DPC, including site survey and preparation, network planning, implementation, optimisation and also, maintenance and technical support services.
The first phase of the DPC network that covers metropolitan Bangkok will be operational by the end of the first quarter next year. DPC customers will enjoy a nationwide coverage from the first day based on the network sharing arrangements with the existing operators.
"We are very pleased to be selected by DPC to build their network", says Heikki Kasko, Managing Director for Nokia Telecommunications (Thailand) Ltd. "This strengthens Nokia's position in the fast-growing GSM 1800 market and once again underlines Nokia's position as the world leader in GSM 1800 systems."
"We are confident in our choice of Nokia as supplier, due to their impressive track record in digital cellular technology as well as their leadership position in GSM 1800. We have very ambitious targets for our GSM1800 network and to meet these targets, we need to have a high-quality network which will be implemented within a very demanding time-frame," states Mr. Thavatchai Vilailuck, President of DPC.
Digital Phone is one of the three companies granted the digital cellular licence by the Communications Authority of Thailand. The company was established in November 1996 with the current registered capital of Baht 2,960 million. Digital Phone is a joint venture with Samart Corporation Plc. holding on an equity of 59.27%, Telecom Malaysia International 33.33%, Total Access Communication Plc. 6.67% and the Communication Authority of Thailand 0.73%.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a leader in digital technologies including mobile phones, cellular and fixed telecommunications networks, wireless data solutions and multimedia terminals. With sales in approximately 130 countries, net sales totaled FIM 39.3 billion ($8.5 billion) in 1996. Nokia employs more than 34,000 people in 45 countries. Nokia's shares are listed in Helsinki, New York, London, Stockholm, Frankfurt and Paris.
Nokia's GSM technology has been supplied to 64 operators in 34 countries. Nokia ranks as the world's number one supplier of GSM 1800 networks.
Further information:
Nokia Telecommunications
Arja Suominen
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193,
Fax (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8200
Digital Phone Company
Mr. Thavatchai Vilailuck
Tel. +66 2 931 0131
Fax +66 2 937 0439
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