Vodafone Essar, one of India's leading cellular service providers, announced on Wednesday Nokia Siemens Networks and Ericsson India as partners for its 3G network across the country.
These allies will enable swift 3G deployment, create synergy between GSM and 3G networks, and maintain leading-edge high speed packet access networks in nine of Vodafone's 3G license circles, a press release issued here stated.
These circles -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai & Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal -- cover over 60 per cent of the company's current customer-base.
Vodafone will utilise the latest HSPA technology to deliver new services like video telephony, mobile broadband, mobile TV and others.
Vodafone selected Ericsson to provide exclusive 3G HSPA services in Indias largest metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.
Vodafone has also acquired the services of Nokia Siemens to implement and manage its 3G HSPA network in the six circles of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP (East), Rest of Bengal and Haryana.
Both network partners will collaborate with Vodafone to improve the end-user experience.
Vodafone Essar's managing director, Marten Pieters, said, "Globally, Vodafone provides enhanced 3G experiences to a large base of customers. India is now ready for 3G, and we are committed to offer similar high-quality 3G services to our Indian customers.
"Ericsson and Nokia Siemens are specialists in this area and we view this as a very strategic alliance, in order to deliver and maintain a high-quality network which customers will expect from Vodafone."
Nokia Siemens's Head of INdia, Urs Pennanen, said, "We are committed to implement a smart 3G network for Vodafone Essar, based on our global experience and local expertise and resources in India."
Ericsson India, head of region, Gowton Achaibar, said, "We are extremely honoured to be chosen by Vodafone Essar for their 3G HSPA network deployment in India.
"The contract further strengthens Ericsson's position as the leading mobile communications supplier in the Indian market and demonstrates yet again our long-term strategic partnership with Vodafone Essar.
"We are confident that our undisputed technology leadership and global experience will contribute to the rapid expansion of India's mobile broadband market."
