TelCell gears up to offer faster mobile broadband on St Maarten

Philipsburg, St. Maarten –

Caribbean operator selects Nokia Siemens Networks to roll out 3G/HSPA network

Subscribers of TelCell St Maarten, the mobile services arm of TelEm Group, will soon enjoy a faster mobile broadband. The Netherlands Antilles-based operator is building a 3G/HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) network and has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to provide the complete network infrastructure including equipment and related turnkey services for TelCell.

“Our local customers will be technologically closer in line with their US counterparts in terms of higher end-user expectations and growing data demands,” said Eldert Louisa, chief technology officer, TelEm Group. “Nokia Siemens Networks’ knowledge of the TelEm Group network, coupled with its extensive portfolio of 3G/HSPA products and services, will enable TelEm Group to stay ahead in the market and get ready for even faster data speeds with HSPA+ and LTE* – the next generation mobile broadband technology.”

Nokia Siemens Networks will provide radio equipment including its compact and energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Stations. The company will provide the core network, including Flexi NG (Network Gateway), which manages the mobility of smart devices and connectivity to the applications used by TelCell subscribers. The other part of the core network is built using the world’s number one mobile softswitch, Nokia Siemens Networks’ MSC Server, to manage voice calls. Mobile softswitches and media gateways will save up to 70 percent of the current operational costs for the operator.

The deal also includes Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) and Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). The company will provide NetAct for efficient management of the network. Furthermore, Nokia Siemens Networks will ensure a rapid and smooth rollout of the mobile broadband network by providing turnkey services including network implementation and care for the operator.

“3G and particularly HSPA not only introduces a new mobile broadband experience for subscribers, but also opens up new revenue streams for the operator,” said Michael Jakob, head of business development for the Caribbean at Nokia Siemens Networks. “It also leads to lower costs for delivering voice services and increased network capacity, providing benefits to both end users and operators.”

TelCell is expected to launch its enhanced network by the end of April 2011.
About TelEm Group

TelEm Group and subsidiaries, along with associated company Smitcoms N.V. and subsidiaries are government-owned entities providing incumbent telecommunication services to the island of St. Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean. TelEm Group provides mobile and internet services via the brand names TelCell and TelNet, while Smitcoms N.V. provides international data and telephony services. The core of the international backbone is the company’s fully owned SMPR-1 fiber optic cable which facilitates high quality reliable connectivity between various POP’s in Miami, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and Curacao. Through this network, TelEm Group offers dedicated capacity and IP service, and also functions as a regional internet hub and digital highway.
About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com