Ericsson, Hanoi Telecom in largest network deal in Vietnam

Ericsson has signed the largest single contract in Vietnam, amounting to USD 450 mln, to develop and modernize Hanoi Telecom's nationwide mobile network. The strategic partnership, a first in Vietnam, will also see Ericsson managing and operating the network under a three-year full-scope managed services contract.
Ericsson will be responsible for the nationwide migration of Hanoi Telecom's network from CDMA to GSM/EDGE technology, supplying radio access network equipment, optical and microwave transmission, and will be the sole supplier of the all-IP circuit and packet core network. Deployment has started and commercial launch is set for the end of 2008.
The HT Mobile network was launched in February 2005 under a business cooperation contract signed in July 2004 between the Hanoi Telecom Joint Stock Company and Hutchison Telecom Vietnam, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison Telecom.