Sri Lankan 3G market surpasses India

Shirajiv Sirimane

OVERSTEP: Sri Lankan 3G-market penetration is far ahead of India said Vice President Asia Pacific John M. Stefanac.

He said that Sri Lanka has already laundered their 3G network and two cellular companies have already launched their services while the other two operators have already applied. He said that in India, 3G are only in the licensing stage.

Stefanac said that Sri Lanka is a growth market and they have already set up an office in Colombo. Though the initial take up may be slow with Sri Lanka would be developing feat in the 3G sector an already several 3G enabled handsets are available in the market.

He said the current GSM network has several disadvantages while the 3G will open faster communication and the ability for high quality video networking and facility to even watch a movie going on TV. Nokia has also opened one of their factories in Chennai India to service the Asian market in a more aggressive manner.

Meanwhile Nokia has signed a nationwide supply contract with the Philippines telecommunications company Globe Telecom Inc.

This network modernisation deal includes an upgrade of the Globe Telecom circuit switched core network, also enabling fixed mobile convergence.

Under the agreement Nokia will renew the core network of Globe Telecom including the upgrade of Nokia mobile switching centre into Nokia MSC Server mobile softswitch.

Included are also the unique, multitechnology Nokia NetAct(tm) network and service management solution, Nokia Voice over IP Server, and Nokia IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). In addition, Nokia will provide implementation, commissioning, systems integration and training services. The deliveries have already started.

"The contract with Nokia for an upgrade of our existing MSC to an integrated 2G/3G MSC Server mobile softswitch will enable Globe to offer a whole suite of innovative services to our customers in a cost-efficient manner," says Gerardo C. Ablaza Jr, Chief Executive Officer, Globe Telecom.

"We are pleased to continue our long-term collaboration with Globe Telecom and enable them to introduce 3G services in the Philippines," says Tapani Sairanen, Account Director, Networks, Nokia. "The Nokia mobile softswitch is an excellent solution for core network optimisation, bringing significant cost-savings for operators."

Nokia is creating seamless user experiences in converging networks thanks to mobile softswitching and IMS for fixed and mobile. With over 100 customers for its mobile softswitching and over 50 live networks, Nokia is clearly the most experienced mobile softswitching supplier worldwide. Nokia is also the front-runner in IMS for fixed and mobile networks, with over 120 references.

Globe Telecom is one of the leading providers of digital wireless communications services in the Philippines using a full digital network based on the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology.

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry.

Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators.