Wireless News Good for LanNORTEL NETWORKS: Ufone launches GSM 900 service in Pakistan using Nortel
Networks solution; Scalable platform to enable future delivery of
high-performance wireless Internet
JAN 31, 2001, M2 Communications - ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Ufone launched
high-quality wireless voice and value-added Intelligent Network (IN) services in
the Pakistani capital of Islamabad using the first portion of a new GSM 900
network from Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSE: NT] estimated to be worth US$50 million
over one year.
This network is also expected to provide a scalable platform for future
deployment of high-performance Wireless Internet services in Pakistan.
In this first phase of network rollout, coverage will be extended to Islamabad,
Karachi, Lahore and other major cities.
Ufone's new GSM network will have an initial capacity of 80,000 subscribers, and
is expected to grow to support as many as 500,000 subscribers within five years.
The network will offer such IN services as voice mail, short messaging and
prepaid calling, as well as advanced billing, customer care and transmission
services.
"We are very excited to launch Ufone," said Arshad Khan, chief executive, Ufone.
"Ufone will be the first Pakistani owned wireless network in the country,
ensuring a high quality of customer services and value for money. To achieve
this objective, we selected Nortel Networks, an internationally recognized
telecom equipment supplier, for this project."
"We have deployed a state of the art network that is commensurate in terms of
quality to the best networks of the world, and we expect to build upon this to
offer the Pakistani market a service that matches international standards and
also a smooth transition into the wireless technology standards of the future,"
Khan said.
"This is our first wireless network build in Pakistan, and we warmly
congratulate the entire team at Ufone on today's successful launch," said Jay
Alvi, vice president, ASEAN and Emerging Markets, Nortel Networks. "We are
committed to Pakistan and see tremendous opportunities for growth, both in
delivery of high-quality voice communications and, down the line, high-speed
Wireless Internet and Optical Internet services. The deployment of a
high-performance GSM wireless network in Pakistan provides the country with
technology which is competitive globally."
In July 2000 Nortel Networks opened an office in Islamabad, its first in
Pakistan.
Ufone was recently granted a license to provide nationwide wireless services in
Pakistan.
Nortel Networks is a global Internet and communications leader with capabilities
spanning Optical, Wireless, Local Internet and eBusiness. The Company had 2000
U.S. GAAP revenues of US$30.3 billion and serves carrier, service provider and
enterprise customers globally. Today, Nortel Networks is creating a
high-performance Internet that is more reliable and faster than ever before. It
is redefining the economics and quality of networking and the Internet,
promising a new era of collaboration, communications and commerce. Visit us at
www.nortelnetworks.com.