Celcom Axiata Berhad has appointed Ericsson and Huawei to upgrade its HSDPA network to HSPA+(High Speed Packet Access Plus) and build a new LTE network.
(The Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, Y.B. Dato’ Joseph Salang (second from right), Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad (centre) joined hands together with Abdul Satar Mohamed, Chief Network Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad (second from left), Arun Bansal, President of South East Asia and Oceania, Ericsson (far left) & Dai Jing Yue, Managing Director of Huawei Malaysia (far right))
In a news release to the media, Celcom said that the HSPA+ technology will allow download speed up to 42Mbps in its network. Celcom will modernise all its existing radio equipment at more than 9,000 2G and 3G base station sites within the next three years.
However there is no much details about the LTE network that Celcom is planning to build.
The deal between Celcom, Huawei & Erisson is valued about RM700million and the project is expected to be completed within 3 years.
Press Release from Celcom below.
KUALA LUMPUR, 15 MARCH 2011 – Celcom Axiata Berhad , the first and foremost mobile telecommunications provider in the country, today appointed Ericsson and Huawei to supply the latest and best Radio Access Equipment that will propel Celcom to the forefront, leading the industry in terms of technology.
“This initiative to build a new world-class mobile network in Malaysia with HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Plus) and LTE (Long Term Evolution)-ready access will greatly enhance customers’ experience by providing them advanced seamless network mobility. We have selected Ericsson and Huawei to deliver this future-oriented network, based on their latest radio equipment portfolio and competitive Single Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions. Upon full rollout of this project, we will triple our network capacity and will be able to provide to our consumers the best service with enhanced data speed of up to 42 Mbps, superior High Definition (HD) quality voice service, wider and more stable coverage. In anticipation of the growth of smartphones and tablets, this advanced network, which is LTE-ready will be able to accommodate the rise in data demand,” said Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad.
To mark this occasion, the appointment of these two vendors by Celcom was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, Y.B. Dato’ Joseph Salang and accompanied by Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly. Signing on behalf of their respective companies were Abdul Satar Mohamed, Chief Network Officer of Celcom; Arun Bansal, President of Ericsson South East Asia and Oceania; and Dai Jing Yue, Managing Director, Huawei Malaysia.
Celcom has prioritised its national 2G and 3G radio access network modernisation project at all base stations throughout Malaysia. Rollout for the northern and southern regions plus part of central and eastern regions will be carried out by Huawei, whereas parts of eastern region as well as Sabah and Sarawak will be rolled out by Ericsson. As part of Celcom’s initiative to upgrade its mobile network, Celcom will modernise all its existing radio equipment at more than 9,000 2G and 3G base station sites within the next three years. In addition, Celcom will be deploying about 2,000 new sites, utilising the Single RAN solution. This modernised Celcom network is expected to go live in several phases from middle of this year onwards.
“We are thrilled to be working together with Ericsson and Huawei on this landmark project as these collaborations further prove our commitment to continuously improve our existing services. In Malaysia, mobile subscribers are becoming increasingly discerning and we want to continue to be one step ahead of their future requirements. At the same time, this green technology reduces power consumption therefore reducing the carbon footprint per base station sites, directly contributing to the conservation of the environment. Additionally, Celcom will be able to simplify, streamline and synergise its network management with this all-in-one network platform,” said Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, adding that this sustainable mobile network solution can effectively help the company lower its operational costs, resulting in reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO).
Arun Bansal of Ericsson, said: “Our customers face increasingly complex challenges in terms of operational costs, multiple radio technologies and sustainability concerns. Evo RAN gives operators an opportunity to be flexible in the evolution of their radio access network, taking the risk out of their investment.”
Dai Jing Yue of Huawei Malaysia said: “This network upgrade will allow Celcom to offer cutting edge mobile speeds and services across its mobile network. By adopting Huawei’s Single RAN solution, Celcom will eventually converge GSM, HSPA+ and LTE into a single network, simplifying structure, reducing costs and human resource requirements, and there for, realizing exceptional improvements in operational and management efficiency.”
