Ericsson has entered into a three-year global framework agreement with Axiata Group Berhad to provide microwave network solutions and radio technologies for Axiata operating companies.
The deal extends the supply of microwave, 2G, 3G and 4G wireless technologies, which includes Ericsson MINI-LINK microwave transmission, multi-standard RBS6000 family of base stations for macro and small cell networks, and Ericsson Psi Coverage solution. Ericsson said it will enable Axiata to capture the rapid data growth, driven by the emergence of a Networked Society, through delivering best-in-class network and application performance.
Under the framework agreement, Ericsson will be one of the main suppliers of microwave and radio equipment for the expansion of GSM, WCDMA and LTE coverage and capacity in countries where Axiata operates. This will enable the Axiata Group of Companies (OpCos) to boost their network capacity and performance, thereby creating new revenue streams from enriched data services and the offer of enhanced user experiences, it said.
Axiata is one of the largest Asian telecommunications companies with over 250 million mobile subscribers. Its subsidiaries include Robi (Bangladesh), Smart (Cambodia), AXIS (Indonesia), XL (Indonesia), Celcom (Malaysia) and Multinet (Pakistan). Other affiliated Telecoms operators includes Tune Talk (Malaysia), Idea Cellular (India), M1 (Singapore).
Todd Ashton, Head of Ericsson Malaysia and Sri Lanka and Global Customer Unit Axiata says: “The award of this framework agreement further strengthens the partnership between Ericsson and Axiata Group, and confirms Ericsson’s position as technology leader. The flexibility and reliability of our solutions will help Axiata offer the best possible service to their customers.”
Ericsson’s microwave portfolio, MINI-LINK, includes microwave nodes for any network scenario. The nodes are modular and capable of handling single hops as well as advanced hub sites for larger networks. The Ericsson RBS6000 radio base station can operate on all standards – GSM, WCDMA and LTE – and offers a seamless, integrated and environmentally friendly solution that is forward-compatible.
The Ericsson Psi Coverage solution is an Ericsson-unique innovation, providing cost-efficient broadband coverage in areas with light to medium traffic volume, and helping operators build mobile broadband coverage in areas with challenging conditions, for example due to number of users and a lack of good commercial power.
