SnL_ayaz_/was_here » LTE

Vodafone Germany and Huawei test LTE in 790-862MHz

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:21:41 +0000

Vodafone Germany and Huawei today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct a joint test gauging the performance of LTE (Long Term Evolution) in the Digital Dividend Band. This agreement marks a joint initiative to validate LTE’ s application within the Digital Dividend Band (790-862MHz) using Huawei’ s end-to-end LTE solution.

From this summer the cooperation will see Vodafone Germany and Huawei not only demonstrate LTE’ s ability to provide broadband coverage to rural and urban areas, effectively bridging the digital divide between those areas of Germany, but also to prove its compatibility with adjacent technologies such as Digital TV and Digital Radio. The test will be based on Huawei’ s end-to-end solutions and both parties will form a joint working group for conducting the test.

Hartmut Kremling, CTO of Vodafone Germany said: ‘Vodafone is an active player in bringing leading broadband services to Germany. By cooperating with local telecoms authorities, utilising the rich LTE experiences from Vodafone Germany and Huawei, we are confident that the test will be carried out successfully.’

Vincent Pang, Vice President and Head of Huawei Vodafone Business Unit said: “We are very pleased that Vodafone Germany chose Huawei as the partner for this test, which is another milestone for the collaboration between our two companies. Huawei will leverage its cutting edge LTE technologies to ensure Vodafone Germany remains ahead of the market as well as help it to achieve sustainable growth in the future.”

NSN & Vodafone demonstrate Active Antenna solution

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:37:04 +0000

Antenna technology with potential to further reduce carbon emissions pioneered through NICE partnership

Nokia Siemens Networks, a leading global enabler of communications network solutions and services, and Vodafone, the world’s leading international mobile telecommunications company, have successfully tested a new antenna technology designed to reduce carbon emissions and improve the cost efficiency of mobile phone networks for operators.

The tests, carried out through the recently announced Nokia Siemens Networks Innovation Centre (NICE) initiative between the two companies, mark the first time that an integrated Active Antenna solution has been used on a commercial mobile WCDMA telecommunications network.

Nokia Siemens Networks Active Antenna incorporates elements of the base station within the antenna, reducing the footprint of base stations and lowering power consumption.

The solution is capable of supporting multiple standards, such as GSM, WCDMA and LTE, and has been developed in accordance with the industry’s Single RAN specification, which Vodafone has also played a key role in developing.

“We see Active Antennas as the next logical step in base station site evolution, where the trend is to move RF parts closer to the antenna. Nokia Siemens Networks is a leader in Active Antenna technology, helping operators reduce CAPEX and OPEX with its innovative solutions” said Tommi Uitto, head of Wireless Access Product Management at Nokia Siemens Networks.

Active Antenna technology has the potential to support operators by enhancing network performance and increasing the flexibility of deployment while creating opportunities to lower OPEX through reducing site rental, maintenance and energy costs.

“Vodafone is committed to driving innovation throughout its operations and working closely with its vendor community to enhance the quality of our customers’ experience, while identifying opportunities for greater cost efficiencies” said Fergal Kelly, Director of Access Networks, Vodafone Group.

The Active Antenna solution is targeted at operators rolling out new 3G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks or enhancing their existing 3G networks, as well as for those markets planning to re-farm current GSM band to make space for WCDMA/LTE.

For the demonstration of voice and data calls over the Active Antenna system, Nokia Siemens Networks provided the uB900 Antenna Embedded Radio from its partner Ubidyne integrated to be part of a Flexi Base Station system. Vodafone provided access to its commercial network in Italy where the engineering team successfully performed the joint technology assessment.

The demonstration is the first project to be generated through the NICE initiative between Vodafone and Nokia Siemens Networks, based in Madrid, Spain and created for the purpose of joint innovation around new concepts, products and architectures.

Ericsson to acquire majority of Nortel’s North American wireless business

SnL_ayaz_/was_here — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:53:27 +0000

Ericsson has today entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the parts of the Carrier Networks division of Nortel relating to CDMA and LTE technology in North America. The purchase is structured as an asset sale at a cash purchase price of USD 1.13 b. on a cash and debt free basis. This announcement follows the completion of the auction process initiated by Nortel, and the transaction is subject to court and customary regulatory approvals.

Ericsson acquires an installed base and a healthy business that provides major operators CDMA technology and support services. In addition, the acquisition strengthens Ericsson’s ability to serve North America’s leading wireless operators in the evolution to LTE. The acquisition significantly expands Ericsson’s footprint in North America, particularly as this region is emerging as an early adopter of LTE technology. The acquisition also provides Nortel’s customers with a strong and reliable supplier for the future, many of which have expressed support for this acquisition.

“Acquiring Nortel’s North American CDMA business allows us to serve this important region better as we build relationships for the future migration to LTE. Furthermore, by adding some 2,500 highly skilled employees, of which about 400 are focused on LTE research and development, Ericsson reinforces and expands a long-term commitment to North America. This deal, along with our recently announced Sprint service agreement, truly positions Ericsson as a leading telecoms supplier in North America,” said Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO of Ericsson.

The agreement includes important CDMA contracts with North American operators such as Verizon, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Bell Canada and Leap, as well as LTE assets, certain patents and patent licenses relating to CDMA and LTE. Nortel’s customers will also benefit from the continued support of Nortel’s installed CDMA base and the migration path to LTE.

Nortel’s North American CDMA operations generated approximately USD 2.0 b. in 2008, with robust profitability from a good product mix, which includes a significant amount of services. Going forward, research and development costs are expected to be relatively low in CDMA compared with other technologies.

Ericsson’s North American business generated SEK 17.9 (USD 2.7) b. of sales in 2008, mainly from GSM and WCDMA equipment and associated services. When coupled with the recently announced Sprint services agreement, this acquisition makes North America the largest region within Ericsson and encompasses some 14,000 employees.

The robust financial profile of the acquired operations will contribute significant top- and bottom-line additions to Ericsson. The transaction is expected to have a positive effect on Ericsson’s earnings within a year after closing. Magnus Mandersson, presently head of Ericsson Northern Europe, is appointed President of Ericsson CDMA operations, and Richard Lowe, Nortel, is appointed Chief Operating Officer.

“Our two companies share a long-standing commitment to technological excellence and innovation, and we look forward to welcoming the Nortel employees into Ericsson. We are truly impressed with their continuing outstanding performance during these challenging times,” said Magnus Mandersson, President of Ericsson CDMA operations.

“The agreement with Ericsson provides a strong and stable future for Nortel’s CDMA and LTE business. Customers will enjoy continued strong support from an industry leader as they look to evolve to LTE. Many employees will also have the opportunity to continue their work with Ericsson, bringing their innovation power and creativity to the wireless industry for years to come,” said Richard Lowe, President of Carrier Networks at Nortel.

Consummation of the transaction is subject to approval by the United States and Canadian Bankruptcy Courts and the satisfaction of regulatory and other conditions.

SEB Enskilda is acting as Ericsson’s sole financial advisor in the transaction.

SnL_ayaz_/was_here » LTE

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