Sept. 1 – Ericsson signed the largest single contract in Vietnam—amounting to US$450 million—to develop and modernize Hanoi Telecom's nationwide mobile network today an industry journal reported.
The strategic partnership will also see Ericsson managing and operating the network under a full-scope managed services contract. Under the three-year managed services agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for the management, operation and network design of Hanoi Telecom's mobile network, including field operations and support services. Ericsson will also provide a comprehensive range of professional services, such as network deployment and systems integration.
Ericsson will be responsible for the nationwide migration of Hanoi Telecom's network from CDMA to GSM/EDGE technology, supplying radio access network equipment, optical and microwave transmission, and will be the sole supplier of the all-IP circuit and packet core network. Deployment has started and commercial launch is set for the end of 2008.
Ericsson is expanding operation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well as setting up offices in Danang in order to provide technical support and network operation.
"This strategic partnership with Ericsson is a first in Vietnam. It will provide us with a competitive advantage by allowing us to focus on our core business and help position us for rapid nationwide expansion," said Pham Ngoc Lang, the chairman of Hanoi Telecom.
