Cable & Wireless has selected Ericsson as the sole supplier of equipment
and services for deployment of a GSM/GPRS 800 MHz network in Panama. Cable &
Wireless will be the first operator in Panama to offer GSM services, and the
first operator outside the United States
to deploy GSM in the 800 MHz band.
"We are proud to continue our position as sole supplier of wireless systems
to Cable & Wireless in Panama, having deployed their TDMA network and now
migrating their network to GSM/GPRS," said Bert Nordberg, Vice President
and General Manager, Ericsson Systems. "This contract is an important milestone
in our strong, long-term relationship with Cable & Wireless, one of the
world's leading global telecommunications operators."
With this contract Ericsson will provide GPRS, Mobile Internet Enabling Proxy
(MIEP), an Intelligent Network (IN) with Mobile Virtual Private Network (MVPN)
and Flexible Number Register (FNR), which enables the subscriber to use the
old TDMA phone number in the new GSM network.
"Ericsson's unparalleled global experience in deploying GSM/GPRS networks
and services, as well as Ericsson Mobility World's broad network of application
and content developers, will be a great benefit to us in delivering a compelling
and localized offering for the Panamanian market," said Jose Miguel Garcia,
President, Cable & Wireless Panama.
Additionally, as a part of the strategic agreement with Cable & Wireless,
Ericsson will supply a range of services to facilitate the launch of the network,
including business consulting, initial network design and installation, engineering,
testing and RF design and optimization services. Beyond delivering a turnkey
network, Ericsson will provide consultative services to support Cable &
Wireless in developing, deploying and marketing the most appropriate and attractive
voice and data services for the Panamanian market.
The first test calls on the network have already been successfully completed,
and commercial launch is expected in the fourth quarter of 2002.
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications
through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions
in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful
communication companies in the world.
Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press
