Ericsson has signed an agreement with the Irish operator Meteor Mobile Communications (Meteor) as the sole supplier for a WCDMA/HSPA network including microwave transmission. Under the terms of the contract, Ericsson will supply a WCDMA/HSPA radio access network and a new microwave transmission network.

 Meteor has already achieved 10% 3G population coverage, and is on target to reach 33% coverage by the end of September 2008 covering the Dublin and Cork areas.

John Hennessy, Head of Ericsson Ireland, says: "We are delighted and privileged to be selected as Meteor's partner building on our successful relationship with the eircom Group established over a number of years. This deal reinforces Ericsson's technology leadership and will help Meteor tap into the interesting and evolving market for Mobile broadband services."

Ericsson has been the sole supplier to Meteor for GSM core & radio access equipment since 2004. Ericsson also supplied Meteor with the initial build out for 10% 3G population coverage in 2007. In the new contract, Ericsson will supply Meteor with microwave transmission equipment and WCDMA/HSPA radio access equipment to extend the existing network.

Figures from the Mobile World analysts report that Meteor ended the first quarter of this year with some 975,000 subscribers and a market share of around 19%. The market is dominated by Vodafone and O2, with Hutchison 3G picking up the rear.

Source:cellular-news