Smart has 3G

[difenbaker]

Nokia delivers 3G radio network including HSDPA to Smart Communications in the Philippines

Philippines' wireless service provider Smart Communications Inc. (SMART) and its sole network supplier Nokia have signed an agreement for the supply of WCDMA 3G network technology.

As part of the agreement, Nokia will deliver a WCDMA 3G radio network including the Nokia High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) solution, a 3G upgrade to the existing circuit and packet switched networks, and related services. The network will enable Smart to offer its customers 3G services such as video streaming and high quality broadband mobile data services.

"Smart is committed to offer the best 3G services in the market. As of today, deliveries of equipment and services are underway. The investments under this contract will allow us to establish quality nationwide 3G coverage in the shortest possible time," says Napoleon L. Nazareno, SMART President and CEO.

The extensive services in the agreement include network design, planning and optimization, and Operations Support System upgrade. Also included are deployment services consisting of installation, commissioning, integration and acceptance testing of the network.

Smart Communications, Inc. is the Philippines' leading wireless services provider with 20.8 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-September 2005.

http://www.slashphone.com/74/3468.html

cheers!

[carcomptoy]

lucky Smart!! Where's Globe in all this?

[difenbaker]

lucky Smart!! Where's Globe in all this?

From what I hear - Globe is gettin ready to lauch their own 3G services too, but it's without HSDPA. But since both of them (globe and smart) are very busy now with their recently lauched prepaid WiFi services, I think 3G will have to wait until the middle of this year. Other comm companies, however, like Broadband Phil... are gettin ready to fomally launch their EVDO services (and their own brand of EDGE.)


cheers!

[carcomptoy]

EV-DO? UGH CDMA in the Philippines? I wonder who's bought into that...all their peers're probably like, a phone w/o a SIM? WHY??:p

And what do you mean "their own brand of EDGE"?

[difenbaker]

EV-DO? UGH CDMA in the Philippines? I wonder who's bought into that...all their peers're probably like, a phone w/o a SIM? WHY??:p

And what do you mean "their own brand of EDGE"?

not really EDGE, as in they use EDGE, but it's more of a nickname. They've got it going up to 'edge' speeds already - which is what they meant.

Broadband Phil is testing a new wireless landline service... this one.
http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/18/Wireless_landline.jpg


Peak Data Rate by Technology:

CDMA 2000-1x EVDO 2,400 kbps
W-CDMA 2,000 kbps
EDGE 384 kbps <----------- this is their current speed as of now.
CDMA 2000-1x 144 kbps
GPRS 115 kbps
GSM 14.4 kbps

That's why they're not launching the service because it's still undergoing tests - it will be formally launched when they've got it up or near EVDO speeds.

[carcomptoy]

"wireless landline"??? Does anyone else not see the oxymoron?:rolleyes: