Nokia Siemens Wins $869m China Mobile Deal

Wireless and wireline network equipment vendor Nokia Siemens Networks has won a E550m ($869m) network-expansion deal from mobile operator China Mobile.

Nokia Siemens will design, build, maintain, and optimize the radio and core network for China Mobile, supplying its Flexi base stations, mobile soft switching, and operating support system applications in key provinces and cities across China.

Zhang Zhiqiang of Nokia Siemens Networks said: “We are glad to continue our strategic cooperation with China Mobile to help meet its goal of providing high-quality service to customers. Our future-proof and energy-efficient solution allows a smooth migration to IP networks.”

Earlier this year, the Chinese government announced the restructuring of its telecommunications sector to create three telecom companies. China Mobile will acquire fixed-line operator China Telecom, while China Telecom will take over mobile network of China Unicom and smaller player China Satellite Communications. The ministry also plans to merge the remainder of China Unicom with fixed-line operator China Netcom.