Vodafone Fiji gears up for 3G

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 04 October 2005 18:51

Business IT - Networking

Vodafone Fiji has signed a five year $US15 million contract with Ericsson Australia for an upgrade and management of its core network to IP operation in preparation for the launch of 3G services.

Ericsson will supply a mobile softswitch and Ericsson's operations centre in Australia will provide network management services and business consulting services to support Vodafone's 3G services launch.

Ericsson will later supply the radio network equipment for 3G to enable Vodafone Fiji to provide WCDMA coverage from mid-2006. The mobile softswitch is described as "the first step towards an all-IP network" that will "upgrade Vodafone's network in the most cost-efficient way".

Aslam Khan, CEO of Vodafone Fiji, said the company planned further investment over the next five year to introduce new services and extended coverage of its network throughout Fiji.