Alcatel to roll out Digitel’s mobile network

Alcatel has announced the signing of a $200-million turnkey contract with fixed-line operator Digital Telecommunications Inc. (Digitel) for the rollout of the carrier’s first mobile network by 2002.

"It has been a long and thorough process but we finally found a system that will meet Digitel’s objective of entering the wireless business on a very competitive and cutting-edge offer," said Brian Go, Digitel’s corporate planning and strategies head.

"We decided on Alcatel because of its demonstrated local presence and know-how in delivering a full turnkey network with advanced mobile solutions. Our customers will soon enjoy a range of state-of-the-art GSM and GPRS services that will transform the Philippine mobile marketplace," Go added.

Cris Carreon, Alcatel Phils.’ vice president for key account management and chief project proponent, said, "We are pleased to partner with Digitel to roll out its first mobile network. On top of the basic services, this 100-percent turnkey GSM contract will enable Digitel to offer GPRS and mobile Internet – all from day one of commercial operations."

Carreon added: "The grade of service will be similar to those that Alcatel supplies to European systems, which are among the best in the world."

The frame contract foresees the global project management, from network planning and design to implementation, including site acquisition, negotiation of permits, installation and integration of the GSM/GPRS network, network testing and commissioning.

When completed, the GSM 1800/GPRS network will allow Digitel to offer enhanced mobile data services such as broadband Internet and e-commerce. The completed network will cover Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas nationwide.

The network will be able to support 500,000 subscribers, enabling them to surf the Internet and carry out wireless data transactions at speeds reaching up to 115 Kbps.

Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel will supply Digitel with its Evolium solution – radio access network (base stations and base station controllers), mobile switching centers, home location registers, an intelligent network platform for value-added services, and GPRS core network infrastructure.

Alcatel’s Evolium end-to-end solutions support GSM, high-speed data, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS for 3G technologies.

To carry high-capacity traffic, the network will utilize Alcatel’s microwave radio systems and the Optinex family of carrier-class transmission solutions, both managed by a unified network management platform.

This platform will allow Digitel to connect both its mobile and fixed subscribers using the GSM technology.

Besides the basic services such as SMS (Short Messaging Service), this cutting-edge network will allow Digitel to offer new and advanced services such as Homezone, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

Homezone enables the offering of special rates for specially designated zones, while VPN offers abbreviated dialing to a user’s frequently called numbers.

Today, one of four operators trusts Alcatel for the supply of its GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz networks in five continents.