NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 24, 2005
Nokia wins USD 141 million GSM network expansion with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in India
Espoo, Finland – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), one of India’s leading telecommunications companies, has awarded Nokia a comprehensive GSM/EDGE and GPRS network expansion project in North India. The expansion, valued at USD 141 million, will include core and radio network equipment, and an extensive range of services.
The expansion will enable BSNL to significantly increase its network coverage and capacity in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh (both east and west circles), Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. It gives BSNL the chance to introduce the benefits of mobility to 2 million new Indian subscribers, and underscores Nokia’s commitment to the dynamic Indian market.
"This is an important network expansion to BSNL as we strive to offer the best network coverage and capacity to our subscribers," says GS Grover, Director Commercial & Marketing, BSNL.
"We are delighted to strengthen our successful cooperation with BSNL," says Ashish Chowdhary, Country Head, Networks, Nokia India. "This expansion provides BSNL the ability to enhance its network coverage and capacity, and shows the strength of Nokia’s full range of service offerings."
Services play an important role in the contract, including complete network planning and optimization, infrastructure design, supply and implementation, and commissioning as well as systems integration and Nokia’s over-the-air (OTA) device management solution. This expansion is an extension of a USD 284 million GSM/EDGE and GPRS contract signed by Nokia and BSNL in 2004.
Nokia’s operations in India include networks and terminals sales divisions, three Research and Development facilities and an upcoming manufacturing facility in Chennai that will produce both terminals and GSM infrastructure equipment. Nokia also plans to open a Global Networks Operation Center in India by the end of the year.
About Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
BSNL is India’s No. 1 telecommunications company and the largest public sector undertaking in India with authorized share capital of $3.6 billion and a net worth of $13.85 billion. It has a pan-India network with over 42 million subscribers across 5000 towns and almost 12.5 million GSM cellular subscribers. www.bsnl.in
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com