Nortel Networks has supplied Connex with a cost-effective, converged packet voice and data network based on Nortel Networks industry-leading softswitches and multiservice switches.
The newly-deployed network supports Connex' 2G wireless network and enables a smooth future migration to 3G services. Connex is owned by Telesystem International Wireless and Vodafone.
As part of the deployment, Connex will become the first service provider to leverage G729, an internationally accepted voice compression standard, in a wireless network. The compression enables an eight-fold reduction in bandwidth requirements, while maintaining voice quality by reducing the bandwidth required for voice from 64 kilobits per second (kbps) to 8 kbps. Connex has also deployed Nortel Networks Succession Communication Server 2000 for the first time in a live 2G wireless network.
"Nortel Networks has supplied us with the technology that will mean Connex will be better placed to deploy new services from current 2G networks through to future 2.5 and 3G networks," said Vishant Vora, chief technology officer, Connex.
"This is another example of Nortel Networks working very closely with the Vodafone Group," said Brian Day, vice president, Next Generation Products, Nortel Networks. "Our solutions are enabling us to bring significant cost reductions to Connex and to all our customers by providing smooth, evergreen evolution to next generation services."
Connex deployed Nortel Networks Succession Communication Server 2000, a softswitch that provides call control for live voice traffic across the core of Connex' multi-service backbone. This high-capacity transit layer will reduce the number of Mobile Switching Centres required by Connex, leading to further capital expenditure savings. In addition, Connex deployed Nortel Networks Passport 15000 Multiservice Switch and Passport Packet Voice Gateway.
Succession Communication Server 2000 and Passport are key elements of Nortel Networks comprehensive voice over IP portfolio, which is designed to transform today's networks into highly-reliable packet networks for delivery of voice, video and data services.
Connex now joins other Vodafone associates and operating companies in owning and running a multiservice backbone based on Passport, including Vodafone D2 in Germany, Vodafone Spain, Vodafone New Zealand, and Vodafone Portugal. Passport positions operators to roll out new IP data services, as well as to offer existing voice services.
Connex is the registered trademark of MobiFon S.A., the company that launched the first GSM network in Romania, on April 15, 1997. Connex leads the mobile communications market in Romania with 2,003,600 GSM customers on December 31, 2001 and continues to be the most important Internet provider on the Romanian market, having over 150,000 XNET users at the end of 2001. The Connex network covers 95 percent of the Romanian population and offers roaming services in 90 countries/areas, through 203 operators. The main shareholders of Connex are two world leaders of the market of mobile communication services: Telesystem International Wireless (TIW) and Vodafone.