Globe Telecom today announced they have awarded Nokia an over USD 35 million deal to deliver end-to-end solutions for Globe's GSM network expansion, which will increase its subscriber base in outlying provincial towns of the Philippines.

 

Equipment deliveries of Base Station Subsystem (BSS) and Network Subsystem (NSS), which include GSM radio access network infrastructure as well as Mobile Switching Center and Home Location Register, have already begun and network rollout is scheduled for completion by the end of October 2003.

 

Under the agreement, Nokia will supply an extensive range of operator services to help Globe Telecom maximise their operating efficiency. These services include rollout and network planning, site acquisition, project management, installation and commissioning for network fast ramp-up. The network will continue to be supported by Nokia's wide range of care services.

 

"We are placing our trust in Nokia's end-to-end system capability in GSM with a view to the widely accepted GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA evolution path," says Gerardo C. Ablaza, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Globe Telecom.

 

"In both the delivery and care phases, Nokia has demonstrated their proven ability and dedication to support us with fast network ramp-up and overall system maintenance and optimization," he adds.

 

Nokia has been working with Globe Telecom since 1994, providing turnkey services for the operator's GSM infrastructure over this period.

 

"Nokia is happy to continue our close long standing relationship with Globe. With this new award, Globe's GSM network reach will be quickly enhanced to capitalise on the continued growth in mobile services, while ensuring a smooth and efficient evolution path to GSM/EDGE as data demands grow even further in the future," says Tapani Sairanen, Account Director, Nokia's Globe Team.

 

Globe Telecom, Inc. is one of the leading providers of digital wireless communication services in the Philippines utilizing a fully-digital network based on Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology).  Primarily owned by Ayala Corporation, Singapore Telecom International and Deutsche Telekom, it also offers a broad range of wireline voice communication and data transmission services as well as domestic and international long distance communication services.

 

A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region.

 

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.

 

Further information:

Global Communications Department, Nokia Networks

Tel. + 358 7180 38198

Email: networks.communications@nokia.com

www.nokia.com

 

APAC Communications

Tel: (+65) 6723 1999/(+65) 6723 1824

Email: communications.apac@nokia.com

www.nokia-asia.com