Softbank Mobile is proving a happy hunting ground for Nokia Siemens Networks, which today picked up two contracts covering LTE and HSPA+ networks from the carrier.
The first contract covers the supply of a 4G network using the FDD variant of LTE technology to meet the carrier’s plan to launch commercial services in the autumn. A separate deal also sees the infrastructure firm contracted to expand Softbank Mobile’s HSPA+ network to cover the recently allocated 900MHz frequency.
Junichi Miyakawa, Softbank Mobile’s executive vice president, says both deals are necessary to handle rapidly growing subscriber numbers, and that NSN’s familiarity with his firm’s current networks tipped the balance in its favor. “We are committed to providing people with the best mobile internet experience through the launch of 4G using FDD-LTE, and enhanced, nationwide, HSPA+ network coverage,” he states.
NSN will deploy its Flexi Multiradio Base Station on both networks, along with optimized backhaul services via its FlexiPacket Microwave platform.