Leading Philippine mobile operator SMART Communications, Inc. (SMART) today announced over USD 70 million worth of GSM network expansion and Care services contracts awarded to Nokia.
Deliveries of equipment and services have already begun, and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
"Our market projections show continued growth in the mobile arena. We are very pleased with the growth of multimedia messaging and mobile data. We are happy to have reached our "10 for 10" milestone, that is, ten million subscribers on our tenth year of service," said Ramon S. Fernandez, SMART's Head for Administration and Materials Management Division.
"This contract addresses SMART's objectives on capacity expansion, preparation for future platforms, as well as continuous service quality improvements." Fernandez added.
"The expectations are high and with this deal Nokia is helping SMART to keep its market leadership not only in GSM-GPRS mobile coverage and subscriber count but more so in the release of 3G ready mobile services that include Internet browsing, video streaming, as well as image, MP3 and video downloads and more," said Markku Nieminen, Account Director for SMART, Nokia Networks.
The agreements include EDGE-ready (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) Base Station Subsystem and Network Switching Subsystem, increase in Short Messaging System capacity, and Nokia Flexihopper microwave radios. It also includes systems implementation and integration services, as well as a Care agreement with the latest software upgrade and spare parts service.
"Servicing 10 million subscribers is a challenge, especially now as we go beyond voice and text messaging and towards data and multimedia messaging services. SMART is looking forward to optimizing our entire business chain, from subscriber acquisition, maintenance, and operating expenditures," said Olan Pena, SMART's Head for Network Services Division. "No other mobile operator in this country faces this kind of challenge. The inclusion of Nokia's Care services gives us a lot of confidence in meeting these challenges.".
About SMART
SMART is the Philippines' leading wireless services provider with over 10 million subscribers as of June 2003. SMART has been continuously innovating on wireless technology, having introduced world-first services, in the fields of mobile commerce and mobile value-added services. SMART is a wholly owned subsidiary of the largest Philippine telecommunications carrier, the Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT).
About Nokia
A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region.
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Notes to editors
Since 1998, Nokia has been supplying SMART with complete GSM systems and solutions comprising of Nokia Base Station Subsystems, Nokia NetActä Operations Support System, Network Switching Subsystem, and GPRS Core Network, Nokia Short Message Service Center (SMSC), Location Based Services (LBS) and Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSC). Nokia has helped to plan, deploy, integrate and optimize SMART's network solutions and has continuously provided care services that maintain network availability and enhance network performance.
In April 2003, SMART made its first EDGE call in the Philippines via Nokia EDGE equipment, paving the road towards the delivery of more data and multimedia messaging services in the country.
Together with Nokia operator services, the Nokia NetActä multivendor and multitechnology operations support system enables a smooth service and technology evolution with existing network and service management application support.
For further information, please contact:
APAC Communications, Nokia
Tel: +65 6723 1824/ +65 6723 1999
Email: communications.apac@nokia.com
Global Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel: + 358 7180 38198
Email: networks.communications@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART)
Mon R. Isberto
Head, Public Affairs
Tel: +632 511 3101 or +632 511 3106
Fax: +632 511 3100
Email: rrisberto@smart.com.ph; publicaffairs@smart.com.ph
www.smart.com.ph