T-Mobile launches the world’s most modern GSM/EDGE network following nationwide technology upgrade

* T-Mobile launches the world’s most modern GSM/EDGE network following nationwide technology upgrade
* Largest ever GSM modernization complete
* T-Mobile is the only operator to provide EDGE technology that covers all of Germany
* Frequency and field strength of the systems unchanged

T-Mobile has completed a nationwide modernization of its cellular network. The system hardware was replaced in over 20,000 base stations. Within one year, T-Mobile thus created the world’s most modern GSM network with new system hardware that significantly enhances voice quality and reduces costs. Thanks to the upgrade, T-Mobile can now also offer EDGE for even faster transmission of e-mail, images and music to and from mobile devices. The frequency and field strength of the systems remain unchanged. New locations are not required.

Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson supplied the system technology. “Replacing the system hardware of a cellular network during live operation is not unlike open-heart surgery,” explained Günther Ottendorfer, CEO Technology of T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH. “This project broke new ground. Nothing comparable has ever been done on this scale.”

“The implementation of Alcatel-Lucent’s radio access solution on the T-Mobile network has not only permitted an easy launch of EDGE, but also dramatically improved overall quality of service, while cutting energy consumption by 30 to 40%. In addition, the GSM/EDGE Multi-standard Base Stations will allow smooth and affordable upgrading of the T-Mobile network towards the latest broadband wireless access technologies” stated Philippe Keryer, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile access business.”

Magnus Mandersson, worldwide account manager for Ericsson’s business activities with Deutsche Telekom and head of Ericsson’s Northern Europe Market Unit, added: “The key to success was the outstanding teamwork between Ericsson and T-Mobile that led us to complete the replacement of half of the base stations three months ahead of schedule. We are proud to have helped T-Mobile deploy our energy-saving EDGE solutions to realize a nationwide mobile broadband network while cutting CO2 emissions and operating costs.”

The final modernization measures were realized in the federal state of Saxony: the latest T-Mobile technology is now also available in the Bautzen, Kamenz, Löbau-Zittau and Oberlausitz rural districts and the city of Hoyerswerda.

The EDGE mobile communications standard supports download rates of up to 220 kbps (upload: 110 kbps), or around four times the speed of a single ISDN line. “We want our customers to have high-speed Internet access at all times, no matter where they are,” Ottendorfer said. “Thanks to EDGE, households and companies in regions without access to DSL or UMTS can enjoy mobile broadband Internet access.”

EDGE can be used with mobile devices such as the iPhone, or laptops and stationary PCs fitted with a Web ‘n’ Walk card. T-Mobile offers a selection of suitable mobile Internet devices and plans for home and business users.


HSDPA and W-LAN
Parallel to the GSM upgrade, T-Mobile is continuing to expand its UMTS and W-LAN network infrastructure. T-Mobile is the first mobile communications operator in Germany to equip its entire UMTS network with high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) technology that supports speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps. The provider has also begun to install 7.2 Mbps HSDPA technology in locations with especially heavy traffic. T-Mobile is also continuously expanding its W-LAN coverage to offer its customers the fastest possible mobile data connections, wherever they may be. With over 20,000 hotspots, T-Mobile and T-Com are jointly the world’s largest W-LAN operator.