Huawei bags Reliance contract

BANGALORE, INDIA: Reliance Communications Ltd. today announced the award of a network expansion contract, worth over US$200 million, to Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a leader in providing next generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world.   The current network expansion undertaken by Reliance is the largest wireless network expansion ever undertaken by any operator across the world.

Under the agreement, Huawei would supply and provide deployment services for CDMA & GSM base stations, including BSC (Base Station Controller) and switches, and help create top-of-the-line all-IP Next Generation Network infrastructure.

The technology from Huawei is expected to bring down Reliance Communications' total cost of ownership (TCO) by enabling a significantly faster and more cost-effective expansion of existing CDMA & GSM network services. It will also enhance the company's competitive advantage in attracting new subscribers.

The contract will play a significant role in Reliance Communications' planned roll out of its pan-India CDMA and GSM network expansion, that seeks to extend its next generation, integrated (wireless and wire-line) convergent (voice, data and video) digital network to over 20,000 towns and 600,000 villages creating India's largest

telecom network. Reliance Communications' decision to choose Huawei comes after more than a year's intense scrutiny and stringent equipment tests. 

"We have chosen Huawei based on its established credentials as a global company producing high quality products and solutions. The relationship with Huawei will help us maintain and strengthen our leadership position in India, the world's fastest growing telecom market," said Anil Dhirubhai Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Communications.

"We are extremely proud and happy to partner with Reliance Communications which has contributed immensely to the growth of the telecom sector in India and has always led from the front in expanding the domestic market," said Sun Yafang, Chairlady of Huawei Technologies. "Huawei is dedicated to focusing on customer challenges to meet Reliance's requirements on the network transformation. Huawei provides innovative all IP next generation network solutions, which support Reliance market competitiveness. And we look forward to continuing this partnership with Reliance Communications," she added.