Initially, Ericsson will supply a package of network technology including radio base stations and base station controllers for the network in the capital city, Dhaka, and its surrounds. Banglalink's network covers almost one third of the country's 20 million mobile subscribers. Work will commence on further sites, in other regions, later this year.

 

The installation of Ericsson equipments in Banglalink's network will allow the operator to offer advanced 2G functionalities to its customers, like GPRS and greater network coverage during peak hours. The product range by Ericsson is tailor-made to suit the needs of operators in low ARPU markets like Bangladesh. This is also expected to enhance the overall quality performance of the access network.

 

Tamer El Mahdy, Chief Technology Officer, Orascom Telecom Holdings, says: "With its focus on innovation and technology leadership, Ericsson has been able to offer us solutions most suited to our needs in Bangladesh. With Ericsson equipment Banglalink will be able to offer superior network quality and an enhanced communications experience to its end-users."

 

Rashid Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Banglalink, says: "I am pleased that we have the opportunity of partnering with Ericsson for the first time. This will ensure that the network gains the right technological building blocks as it moves in to the future."

 

Bert Nordberg, Executive Vice President and head of Sales and Marketing, Ericsson, says: "Ericsson has a long history in Bangladesh, and is proud to support Banglalink and Orascom Telecom Holdings in bringing the latest mobile technologies to its customers. We are pleased to have a partner role in  Banglalink's future vision for shaping the country's communications sector."

 

 

 

 

Ericsson Media Relations

Phone: +46 8 719 69 92

E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

 

Orascom entered the Bangladesh market by acquiring a local operator which began operations in June 1998. In September 2004 Orascom Telecom Holdings completed the process of acquisition and the subsidiary was relaunched under the Banglalink brand in February 2005.

 

Orascom Telecom Holdings S.A.E. (OTH) is considered to be among the largest and most diversified network operators in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia having a population under license of 460 million, with an average penetration of 26%.