Monday, January 26, 2004
Nokia to expand GSM/EDGE network in Philippines
Associated Press Helsinki, January 26
Nokia will further expand a cellular network in the Philippines for Smart Communications in a deal worth $117 million, the Finland-based company said on Monday.
Nokia has been working with Smart since 1998, providing services equipment for the operator's mobile networks. In June, it agreed to expand the network for $70 million.
The new deal, which includes next-generation equipment for Smart's network, will further increase the network capacity, especially in rural areas. Smart is the Philippines' largest wireless services provider with 13 million subscribers on its network. More than 17 per cent of the country's 84.5 million people own cell phones and 150 million text messages are sent daily. Nokia, the world's largest mobile phone maker, accounts for 38 per cent of all cellular handset sold. Last week, it reported that its mobile phone sales were up two per cent in 2003.
© Hindustan Times Ltd. 2004.