The joint venture formed by T-Mobile UK and 3 UK to run their 3G radio access networks (RAN) has awarded a four-year managed services contract to Ericsson. Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL) was formed by the two UK operators in January 2008 with the intention of deploying the UK's most extensive 3G network by 2010.
Under the new contract Ericsson will be responsible not only for the operation and maintenance of the jointly owned 3G network but also for T-Mobile's 2G radio access network. MBNL's deal with Ericsson should deliver substantial cost savings and enable better control over operational expenditures. As part of the contract Ericsson will be decommissioning an estimated 5,000 cell sites. Around 80 T-Mobile employees have been transferred to Ericsson.
For more on this story go to Telecomredux and Mobile Europe
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