Ericsson, BSNL in India’s biggest roll-out of 3G

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Ericsson is using its WCDMA/HSPA technology to help BSNL, India’s second largest telecom operator, achieve India’s biggest ever simultaneous launch of 3G services to date, across 11 leading cities. The commercial launch of much awaited 3G services in India will allow consumers to experience enriched communications including rich voice, video and data services.

The successful launch of 3G services in India’s across multiple cities in Northern and Eastern parts of India brings 3G access to more than 15 million people and will help in driving quicker uptake of 3G services to a wide customer base.

As part of its roll-out strategy, BSNL plans to launch 3G services using WCDMA/HSPA technology across more than 700 cities in the first phase. Ericsson is BSNL’s strategic partner for 3G roll-out in over 400 of these cities.

Speaking on the launch occasion, Kuldeep Goyal, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, says: “Today is a significant day for BSNL. The commercial launch of 3G services represents a major milestone in our journey of realizing 3G services for the country and our customers. Ericsson’s leading position and professional services capabilities have allowed us to make available a range of premium services, including rich voice, data and video services in record time.

“The widespread roll-out of 3G network will also help in propelling telecom and broadband growth in India and will help us meet India’s target of 20 million broadband subscribers by 2010.”

Gowton Achaibar, President, Ericsson India and Sri Lanka, says: “Ericsson is proud to partner with BSNL in the roll-out of 3G services in India. This not only helps us in bridging the urban-rural digital divide, but is also a step forward in actualizing our vision of driving communications for all. Innovative services such as mobile health, m-learning and m-governance that are eventually offered to masses, using HSPA technology, shall ultimately drive socio-economic development in the country.”

Today’s launch will bring high quality voice services along with high speed data and video services  with speeds of up to 2 Mbps. While certain applications such as video telephony, mobile broadband, mobile TV and video on demand are being offered with immediate effect, others such as music downloads, video tones, instant messaging, on line gaming, bill payment, and so on will be offered by BSNL in the future.

The mammoth roll-out will also strengthen BSNL’s position as a leading player with a broad offering including Wireline, GSM Mobile, CDMA mobile, Internet, Broadband, Carrier service, MPLS-VPN, VSAT, VoIP services, IN Services to Indian consumers.

This roll-out is part of the contract announced by the companies September 7, 2007.