SFR plans to work with Nokia Siemens Networks to build an enhanced mobile voice and data network in rural France, and share the service with subscribers of two other operators – Orange and Bouygues. The operator has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to modernize and expand its 3G/HSPA+ radio access network. The project is the first example of 3G (HSPA+ at 900 MHz) Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing and will enable more people to enjoy the benefits of extended mobile broadband.

“One of the main reasons we’ve been selected was the simple, versatile yet cost effective option that we have in the form of our Flexi Multiradio Base Station,” says Sampsa Lahtinen, Nokia Siemens Networks. “It is optimized to facilitate active radio network sharing, along with helping SFR meet its expansion targets on time.”
Under the scope of the three-year deal, Nokia Siemens Networks will deliver its Flexi Multiradio Base Station*, offering energy savings, while deploying 3G/HSPA+ and modernizing SFR’s existing GSM network. The vendor will also provide network implementation and managed services as part of the contract.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

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*Nokia Siemens Networks’ Flexi Multiradio Base Station opens a smooth evolution path from GSM and 3G to LTE with just a software upgrade. Building on the company’s market-leading Flexi platform, the software definable Flexi Multiradio Base Station allows to run GSM/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+ and LTE concurrently in a single unit. With the introduction of the Flexi Multiradio Base Station into the market, a 70% improvement in power consumption has been achieved compared to a cabinet-based site used earlier.
Awards for Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Multiradio Base Station include:

• GSMA Global Mobile Awards, February 2009 – Winner in Best Technology Advance Category
• CTIA Awards, April 2009 – Winner in Green Network Hardware and Infrastructure Category
• CTIA Awards, April 2009 – Second in Wide Area Network Category
• Juniper Research’s 2010 Future Mobile Green Awards – Gold Award in the Green Infrastructure category

Network sharing is an opportunity for network operators to reduce costs and speed up network deployments coupled with outsourcing network operations. Nokia Siemens Networks has pioneered the network sharing approach by supplying the first commercial as well as the largest actively shared network worldwide. The company is also a preferred partner for most of the existing commercially shared networks, building upon more than 10 years of its experience in implementing and managing shared networks. The market leading end-to-end network sharing solution is available for GSM, 3G and LTE.