Nokia Siemens ties up India deal with Unitech
12 Oct 2009
Nokia Siemens Networks said on Monday that it has obtained a contract from Unitech Wireless to to supply GSM network for its operations in six circles - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Nokia Siemens Networks will also be responsible for network operation and maintenance as a part of the Managed Services contract with mobile operator Unior, said Nokia in statements from its headquarters in Helsinki as well as from Bangalore.
Uninor is a brand-name of Unitech Wireless, a joint venture between real estate major Unitech and Norwegian service provider Telenor. The latter holds a 67.25 per cent stake in the joint venture.
"Our partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks will help us pursue our model in these six circles as well," said Stein Erik Vellan, Managing Director, Unitech Wireless.
The network will be built using Nokia Siemens Networks' Flexi BTS platform, which is an energy efficient mobile base station. It enables service providers to provide coverage to subscribers using a few base stations, helping them reduce carbon footprint and save energy costs.
In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks is deploying its mobile soft switching solution, which can help to save operating expenses by 70 per cent.
"Flexi BTS and managed services will allow Unitech Wireless, to reduce its time to market and maintain market competitiveness through a more efficient cost base," said Urs Pennanen, head of the India region for Nokia Siemens Networks.
Unitech Wireless holds a pan-India Unified Access Service (UAS) license to offer mobile telephony services in all 22 circles in India. It has also received the spectrum to roll out these services in 21 circles and plans to start services in select circles by the end of 2009.
