Dutch operator T-Mobile Netherlands has signed a four-year strategic-partnership contract with Ericsson. The agreement, which follows T-Mobile's acquisition of Orange in the Netherlands, will result in the continuation and expansion of existing contracts.
Under the contract, Ericsson will continue to manage end-to-end network operations for the former Orange network. Ericsson will also take on responsibility for streamlining T-Mobile Netherlands' overall network infrastructure by dismantling the former Orange mobile networks.
Ericsson will step up the expansion of T-Mobile Netherlands' WCDMA network, including the building and acquisition of more than 900 new sites by 2010. Ericsson will also deliver more than 2000 MINI-LINK microwave transmission units to help boost capacity and to enable the efficient handling of packet data in T-Mobile's transmission network.
Jan Kuijpers, Director of Technology for T-Mobile Netherlands, says: "We are pleased to continue and expand our partnership with Ericsson. This plays an important role in the further rollout and optimization of our network."
Nils de Baar, President of Ericsson Netherlands, says: "This strategic partnership is an important milestone in Ericsson's relationship with T-Mobile. It underlines our strong market position and means Ericsson is now a supplier to all Dutch operators."