Nokia and Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS), one of Thailand's leading mobile phone
service operators, have signed a deal worth over 50 million USD to expand AIS's
GSM network.
Under the agreement, Nokia will supply to AIS GSM radio and core network equipment,
including Nokia UltraSite base stations, base station controller upgrades, and
a mobile switching center that includes packet-switching support for GPRS service.
An industry-leading product, the Nokia UltraSite base station supports High
Speed Data, GPRS, as well as EDGE and WCDMA 3G technologies.
In addition to equipment, Nokia will provide its Network Deployment Package
including network planning, project management, site construction, implementation
and integration services for fast network ramp-up. Deliveries have already commenced
and are expected to be concluded in May.
This new expansion will enhance AIS's network coverage and capacity to better
answer the increasing demand for voice and data services in its GSM network
and support evolution to the Mobile Internet era.
"We selected Nokia for this network expansion because we have strong confidence
in Nokia's technology and professional supporting services," says Wichian
Mektrakarn, Vice President of Engineering, AIS. "Nokia's leading-edge products
and services will enable us to realize our commitment to offering the best services
that best answer our subscribers' needs. This agreement also demonstrates our
commitment to our partners who have been working with us for a long time."
"We are very pleased to continue and further expand our long-term cooperation
with AIS," says Pekka Mielonen, Director Customer Operations, Nokia Thailand.
"Our world-leading GSM system equipment, complemented by value-adding service
support, will provide AIS with a solution that supports evolution to 3G technologies
and services, such as EDGE and WCDMA, while immediately improving the quality
and coverage of AIS's existing voice and GPRS-based data services nationwide."
Advanced Info Service Plc. or AIS is the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand
with over 7 million subscribers. AIS strongly believe that wireless communications
will bring changes to the lives of the Thai people in the way they lead their
lives, regardless of who they are and what they do. With the existence of endless
communications possibilities, the quality of life is better.
