Ericsson has signed a four-year contract with T-Mobile Macedonia, part of Deutsche Telekom-owned Magyar Telekom, to upgrade the operator’s network to HSPA and modernise the existing packet-core network. The move will enable T-Mobile Macedonia to offer its customers enhanced mobile broadband services, including mobile internet, video calls and other advanced multimedia services.

T-Mobile Macedonia, the leading operator in Macedonia, is introducing high-speed mobile broadband services to its 1.3 million subscribers with the help of WCDMA/HSPA technology from Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC). The companies have signed a four-year contract for a nationwide HSPA-enabled network and modernization of the packet-core network.
 
Under the agreement, Ericsson will be sole supplier of a complete WCDMA/HSPA network, including radio access network and modernization of the existing packet-core network. The deployment of the WCDMA/HSPA radio access network and the transformation of the packet-core network will provide the network capacity and functionality needed to handle the uptake of mobile broadband and ensure cost-effective and reliable network operations.

Ericsson will plan, design and deploy the radio access network, and design, adapt and integrate the packet-core network. The contract also covers support and competence development services. Delivery has already started.

Ericsson's High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) solution increases data speeds by making significant enhancements to both the uplink and the downlink. The advanced technology boosts network capacity and cuts response times for interactive services, increasing the performance of mobile broadband. This will enable T-Mobile Macedonia to offer its customers the latest high-speed mobile broadband services including mobile internet, video calls and other advanced multimedia services.

Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer of T-Mobile Macedonia, says: "Ericsson's HSPA solution will enable us to launch mobile broadband services quickly and with high quality and performance. Partnering with Ericsson means we can offer our customers a superior communications experience and strengthen T-Mobile Macedonia's position as a leading 3G-network operator and service provider."

Gábor Éry, President of Ericsson Hungary, says: "We are proud to continue our long-running partnership with T-Mobile Macedonia and bring our mobile broadband solution to the country. Ericsson's WCDMA/HSPA solution will bring faster mobile broadband to Macedonian consumers and help T-Mobile Macedonia meet user demand for advanced internet services anywhere at any time."