Friday, 29 June 2007

Ericsson & China Unicom Ink Mobile Softswitch Framework Agreement

Ericsson has been selected by China Unicom to upgrade its GSM network across six provinces and give end users enhanced data services.

Under this framework agreement, Ericsson will deploy its Mobile Softswitch Solution to provide capacity for an additional 4 million people, covering major cities in the provinces of Jilin, Henan, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Hainan and Liaoning. Delivery of equipment has already started.

The upgraded infrastructure will enable China Unicom to meet its customers’ needs for increased capacity and greater access to data services. It will also allow the operator to evolve to an all-IP network.

Mats H Olsson, President, Ericsson Greater China, says: “Ericsson’s leading position in system performance, project management and time-to-market has been key in securing this major framework agreement.”

The award of this framework agreement will reportedly further strengthen the partnership and increases Ericssson’s GSM market share with China Unicom.

According to a release, Ericsson has also been selected as a major supplier of GPRS Core systems by the operator to upgrade its networks in eight provinces, including Jilin, Henan, Jiangsu, Hubei, Anhui, Yunnan and Hainan.