Vodafone launches first New Zealand 4G service with Nokia Siemens Networks

Auckland, New Zealand

Vodafone New Zealand today launched 4G, LTE (long term evolution) ultra-fast mobile broadband services in Auckland. The operator selected Nokia Siemens Networks to deploy its LTE network in the 1800 MHz spectrum band across the country. In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks in partnership with Vodafone New Zealand upgraded Vodafone’s 2G and 3G networks to ensure improved coverage and speed for subscribers. They also jointly completed GSM and LTE refarming so that part of the GSM spectrum can be re-used for LTE. This leads to enhanced speed and coverage, as well as a gain in capacity by up to 50 percent.

Russell Stanners, CEO of Vodafone New Zealand, said, “The launch of the country’s first commercial 4G network is a major milestone for New Zealand. We’ve now joined other countries around the world which are already seeing the benefits of the increased speed and performance with 4G, and we’re delighted to lead the rollout of 4G service in New Zealand with Nokia Siemens Networks. With so much of our lives being driven now by the desire and ability to be connected to data wherever we are, this major network investment by Vodafone is really important.”

Andrew Button, Country Director, Nokia Siemens Networks, New Zealand, said, “Fully understanding Vodafone’s requirements, we closely worked with Vodafone to launch New Zealand’s first LTE network in record time. Our services experts have worked with Vodafone’s teams to successfully refarm the 2G 900 MHz spectrum, ensuring enhanced 3G coverage and faster data rates for Vodafone customers.”

Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks supplied Vodafone New Zealand with its Single RAN (radio access network) based on its award-winning compact and energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station. Voice services for 2G, 3G and 4G are provided by the Nokia Siemens Networks Mobile Switching Center Server (MSS) and Multimedia Gateway (MGW). In addition, the company provided its Circuit Switched FallBack (CSFB)* voice system that enables the LTE network to transfer customers to 2G and 3G networks in order to make and receive voice calls and access voicemails while retaining the experience of ultra-fast data services on 4G smartphones.

Nokia Siemens Networks also upgraded its NetAct network management system to enable consolidated monitoring, management, and operation of Vodafone’s modernized network. In addition, the company’s services experts provided LTE refarming services which, when combined with GSM Liquid Radio software suite, delivered up to 50 percent capacity gains for Vodafone. Nokia Siemens Networks’ care services include hardware, software maintenance and competence development.

For more information and a video overview on Nokia Siemens Networks’ mobile broadband capabilities, follow this link. To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #mobilebroadband and #LTE.
About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 100 countries and had net sales of approximately 13.8 billion euros in 2012. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Notes:
*CSFB is a 3GPP compliant functionality that enhances TD-LTE (time division duplex-long term evolution) and FDD-LTE frequency division duplex-long term evolution) deployments with voice capabilities. With CSFB, the end-user device is directed to WCDMA or GSM network for voice calls. The device then remains in the WCDMA/GSM network until the call is completed. Data sessions also continue in the 3G network many times at lower speeds. If dual transfer mode is available in GSM, data session also continues while using the GSM network. CSFB also enables text messaging service (SMS) for LTE subscribers, providing a unified voice and SMS service experience along with LTE data services. The subscribers can use the same phonebook, supplementary services such as call waiting and call forwarding, and the same voicemail box.