Nokia bags Smart 3G network supply contract

By Erwin Lemuel Oliva, INQ7.net

Telecommunications equipment firm Nokia has bagged a contract to supply local operator Smart Communications with third generation (3G) network technology and services, Smart disclosed on Wednesday.

Under a recently signed agreement, the contract covers the supply of 3G radio access and core network equipment, including the Nokia High Speed Downlink Packet Access solution, 3G upgrades to the existing circuit and packet switched networks of Smart, and other related network services.

Smart did not disclose how much the contract was worth.

"Smart is committed to offer the best 3G services in the market. As of today, deliveries of equipment and services are underway. The investments under this contract will allow us to establish quality nationwide 3G coverage in the shortest possible time." said Napoleon Nazareno, Smart president and CEO.

Nazareno noted that the operator has been testing a number of 3G cell sites and content such as streaming video clips, which can already be previewed at demonstrations in some of its wireless centers in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

Smart was among the four local operators recently granted licenses to operate 3G services in the Philippines by the National Telecommunications Commission.

Officials previously indicated that the operator expects commercial 3G services to become available in the first quarter of this year.

3G is a faster mobile communications network that supports the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) standard. It allows for faster data transmission speeds, making possible high-speed data communications and mobile multimedia services like video conferencing, audio streaming, and mobile Internet.

Smart conducted a live test of its 3G capabilities in December 2005 in Cebu City

During the demo, the company showed a live video conference call within its network and an international roaming call between the operator and Telecom Italia Mobile.

SMART officials said that the company started preparations for a seamless transition to 3G as early as five years ago with Nokia.

"In December 2000, SMART in cooperation with Nokia conducted the first successful 3G video call in the country in the presence of NTC officials. Using experimental equipment, this test call recorded data transfer rates of up to 216.9 kbps," the company added.

Smart has been working with Nokia as its sole network supplier since 1998