Carrier infrastructure deals punctuate MWC 2013

This year's Mobile World Congress brought out a flurry of announcements about major contracts between mobile operators and infrastructure vendors. Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) agreed to provide an evolved packet core for the LTE network planned by Telefonica's O2 brand in the United Kingdom and also won an LTE equipment contract extension with Australian operator Telstra. In addition, Ericsson and South Korea's SK Telecom signed a memorandum of understanding to work on LTE-Advanced technologies. Meanwhile, Alcatel-Lucent (NASDAQ: ALU) said China Mobile will deploy a TD-LTE version of LightRadio in parts of Shanghai, Nanjing and Qingdao. Nokia Siemens Networks announced a five-year pact with the Orange network in Switzerland to expand its current radio access network as well as to supply and build its LTE network. For a roundup of other deals announced at the show, check out this RCR Wireless article.