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Bouygues Telecom launches GSM 1800 Network provided by Nokia and Dassault A.T.
June 12, 1998
Bouygues Telecom launched on the 4th of June its GSM 1800 network in Lorraine, eastern France, provided by Nokia and Dassault A.T. This contract was announced in August 1997.
"The selection of Nokia and Dassault A.T. has proved successful; we are particularly pleased with the fast rollout times and Nokia and Dassault A.T. expertise, which has led to the network being completed earlier than planned," says Mr Frédéric Zimer, Vice Managing Director, Bouygues Telecom.
"The GIE Dassault A.T.-Nokia partnership brought together Dassault A.T.'s local competence in cellular network implementation and Nokia's proven GSM 1800 technology," says Mr Laurent Samama, Managing Director, Nokia France. "Implementing an entire turnkey project has been a challenge for us and we are delighted to have completed the work ahead of schedule."
The contract announced in August 1997 is a turn key contract including network equipment and related services needed for the implementation of the network. The equipment included supply of base stations, base station controllers, cellular transmission equipment, network management systems and antennas. Turnkey services included network planning, site research and preparation, network engineering and optimisation, installation and testing,and maintenance.
Bouygues Telecom is the first French operator to develop and operate a nationwide GSM 1800 cellular network. Its network was launched on 29 May 1996 in the Paris region with the aim of opening the market from mobile telephony for few, towards personal telephony for everyone. In addition to the Paris region, Bouygues Telecom already covers the regions of Rhônes-Alpes, Côte d'Azur and Normandy. Bouygues Telecom network already covers 75% of the French population and will cover 85 % by the end of this year, and 90% by mid 1999.
Dassault Automatismes et Télécommunications (Groupe Dassault Electronique), supplies systems and products to telecommunications and audiovisual operators, retailers, transportation operators and banking groups. The company, well-known specialist in subscribers access networks, has extensive experience in the design, deployment and maintenance of telecommunications systems for public networks. Dassault A.T. employs 900 people and its consolidated turnover amounted to FRF 1520 million in 1997.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a broad-scope telecommunications company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and computer monitors and all related services. With sales in 130 countries, net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia, listed on NYSE (NOK.A), employs more than 38,000 people worldwide.
Further information:
Ms Arja Suominen, Vice President, Communications
Nokia Telecommunications
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199
Ms Michèle Bogatirsky, Communications Manager
Dassault A.T.
Tel. (Int.) + 33 1 30 81 27 68
Fax (Int.) + 33 1 30 81 22 24
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