American wireless networks will soon get a boost from T-Mobile. The FCC recently awarded T-Mobile permission to use the AWS spectrum (Advanced Wireless Service), used for broadband wireless network services. T-Mobile believes they’ll have WCDMA 3G network services up and running in key markets, including New York City, as early as 2007.
T-Mobile will seek help with the deployment from two Scandinavian firms, Ericsson and Nokia. Swedish communications company Ericsson was chosen as radio provider and will contribute other services to the project including network planning, civil construction and network optimization. Nokia from Espoo, Finland was selected to provide T-Mobile with wireless equipment including its industry defining Flexi WCDMA Base Station technology. These are 3G wireless network stations optimized for T-Mobile’s AWS spectrum.
Nokia's Press release:
"We are delighted to extend our collaboration with T-Mobile International in support of T-Mobile USA's goal of delivering advanced, next generation services to their customers," said Mark Louison, Senior Vice President, Networks, North America, Nokia. "Nokia is committed to delivering best-in-class 3G solutions to the North American market and we look forward to working with T-Mobile USA throughout and after their network deployment."
North America has long lagged behind the rest of the world in mobile network technology, but that's about to change. These are without a doubt well earned and lucrative contracts for Ericsson and Nokia and indicative of T-Mobile moving in an innovative direction, good job!