Brazil : Ericsson has been selected by Claro - a company in the América Móvil Group, one of the five largest in the world - to implement a commercial network based on the 3G/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) technology with HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), in the metropolitan regions of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre. Ericsson is also supplying new GPRS nodes, core update and Video Gateway System. Ericsson will be responsible for the 3G radio, transmission and core network, upgrading Claro's existing GSM/GPRS/EDGE network, in these regions, to 3G/UMST standard. Commercial launch occurred in November this year. The UMTS technology upgrade represents a natural, standardized evolution of GSM technology for the operator.
Ericsson was chosen because it offers true end-to-end 3G solutions that lay the foundation for a smooth and cost-effective migration path from second-generation GSM networks. Due to the arrival of GSM technology in 2003, and the migration of TDMA users to this platform, there was a progressive emptying of the spectrum used for the TDMA operation by the mobile operators in the 850MHz frequency. Fulfilling the regulation restriction - which dictates that operators use the most efficient electromagnetic spectrum - Claro began operating the 3G network in this frequency.
Johan Wibergh, President, Ericsson Brazil, says: "We are delighted and proud to be the partner of choice to supply the 3G network to Claro. This new, country-wide network allows Brazilian mobile users, on a large scale, to enjoy the benefits of mobile broadband services.
"Ericsson is the leader in driving the growth of the 3G/HSPA market around the world. We have been the main driving force in the standardization of WCDMA/UMTS, and also lead the market in research and the number of patents granted."
Eduardo Moreno, Director of Engineer, Claro, says: "3G launch will do for broadband in Brazil what prepaid did for telephony. With these new solutions, our subscribers have access to value-added services such as video, music and mobile TV up to 10 times faster compared than the GSM network."
Under the agreement, Ericsson is also supplying a Video Gateway System (ViG). This solution is ideally placed to meet the demands of network operators and service providers to offer enriched contents and services. Claro's subscribers have access to the most attractive end-to-end services for video calling, video streaming and video download.