Orange signs Nokia Siemens Networks to extend network and rollout 4G (LTE) #MWC13

Nokia Siemens Networks to provide and implement complete radio and core network

Customers of Orange Communications in Switzerland can expect to enjoy superior mobile broadband with faster data speeds and improved coverage. Under a five-year agreement, Orange has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to extend its radio access network as well as supply and build its network to deliver 4G (LTE - long term evolution) services. As the key supplier, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide the complete radio and core network, as well as implementation, optimization and care services.

Orange is focused on the strategic planning and development of its mobile network and has therefore signed a new five-year agreement with Nokia Siemens Networks for all network build activities, including the 4G network. This agreement is an adaptation of the existing, long standing partnership of Orange with Nokia Siemens Networks as a major network supplier. The new turnkey delivery agreement covers all build activities such as site acquisition, build permit procedures, upgrades and hardware maintenance for the Orange mobile network.

“The Orange network is one of the best mobile networks in Switzerland and with the launch of 4G/LTE in June this year, it will even be better,” said Johan Andsjö, CEO of Orange. “Therefore we are happy to have chosen Nokia Siemens Networks as our partner for the complete delivery of all build activities. With Nokia Siemens Networks we can count on an experienced, long lasting partner, with an existing team of high professionals, providing us and our customers with outstanding network quality.”

“As a long-term, trusted technology partner, we are committed to extending Orange’s GSM and 3G networks, and supply and build the new LTE network,” said Outi Asmi, head of Orange Switzerland’s customer team at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our advanced radio and core network platforms will enable Orange to provide the superfast mobile data services for its smartphone customers.”

The Orange network at eye level with the best network in Switzerland and Orange wants to continue offering a top-quality mobile network for mobile communication and Internet sevices, particularly with the fourth mobile generation 4G/LTE. Orange will launch its 4G services on 1 June 2013 in 10 cities/regions of Switzerland.

Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide its high-capacity Liquid Radio* built on the Single Radio Access Network (RAN) platform with its energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station. Nokia Siemens Networks’ Liquid Radio will help Orange provide a superior customer experience and meet growing capacity requirements. The company is also implementing its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) platform, including Flexi NS (network server) and Flexi NG (network gateway). In addition, the company will implement its Circuit Switched FallBack (CSFB)** voice call system to enable 4G smartphones to fallback to GSM and 3G networks from LTE network so that users can enjoy voice calls alongside text messaging and LTE data services.

Nokia Siemens Networks will also provide its NetAct network management system to enable consolidated monitoring, management, and operation of Orange’s network. As part of its full turnkey solution, the company will provide network implementation, network optimization and care services. Nokia Siemens Networks has combined its local resources with global service delivery to ensure the highest level of service quality for the project.

For more information on Nokia Siemens Networks’ mobile broadband capabilities, including a video overview, follow this link. To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #mobilebroadband and #LTE.

Orange Communications SA

Orange Communications SA (www.orange.ch) entered the Swiss telecoms market in 1999 and offers a wide range of mobile communication services. For business customers, Orange offers integrated, simple and efficiency-enhancing landline and mobile solutions.

The Orange mobile communications network covers 99% of the Swiss population. In addition to mobile phone calls, Orange also offers mobile broadband Internet connections that can reach theoretical maximum speeds of up to 42 Mbit/s using GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and HSPA+ technologies. The renowned trade magazine connect rates the Orange mobile network as «GOOD», ranking it among the best in Switzerland.

Some 1,121 employees attend to the every-day needs of 1.65 million customers, including those who work at 89 Orange Centers across Switzerland as well as at the more than 120 Orange Points.

Orange Communications SA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Matterhorn Mobile S.A., a company indirectly majority owned by funds advised by Apax Partners LLP.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 100 countries and had net sales of approximately 13.8 billion euros in 2012. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com