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"The previous network roll-out was also the single largest plan in the history of Pakistan and this time again we are keeping the precedence. With Huawei's EnerG GSM solution, we have been able to provide more high-speed wireless data service, and thus further enhance our service offerings to Ufone subscribers."
                                                                       ---Mubashir Naqvi, CEO of Ufone
Quality Deployment of a GSM Network Covering 1,500-Cities in Pakistan (PDF - 402K)

Ufone is a subsidiary of the transnational operator Etisalat, and has a fast growing base of over 10 million subscribers thanks to successful operations. In order to meet the need of rapid growth of subscribers and support its marketing strategy, Ufone needs a partner to support its rapid expansion urgently. Ufone expects the partner has the capacity of fast network deployment and delivery, cutting-edge technology, and long-term investment protection to expand its existing GSM network.

In September 2006, Ufone selected Huawei to deploy the national GSM network at a contract value of above USD 550 million. Ufone adopted Huawei's EnerG GSM solution, including All-IP core network and BSS, to construct a GSM network covering 1,500 cities and towns in Pakistan.

3G-oriented GSM network

The EnerG GSM dual-density BTS, which are deployed across Pakistan, adopts advanced technologies such as transmitting diversity, high receiving sensitivity, and 4-way receiving diversity. Compared with traditional BTS, Huawei's EnerG new-generation GSM BTS helps Ufone efficiently reduce TCO (total cost of ownership) by 30% while increase network coverage by 40%. More significantly it enables Ufone to deliver voice service with better quality and other 3G-like value-added services over the GSM network, such as ring back tones and trunk service. Furthermore, the solution is based on a next-generation platform, thereby ensuring the network can smoothly evolve to GSM EDGE radio access networks. It also enables Ufone to deliver high-speed wireless data services to its mobile users.

Fast and quality delivery enlarged subscriber attraction

Focusing on customer's challenges and pressures, Huawei started to build an efficient joint project team together with senior experts and engineering technicians from Ufone as soon as Huawei won the contract from Ufone in July 2006. The next day after Ufone signed the official contract with Huawei, the first iron tower and BTS were set up by Huawei at an amazing speed. Thanks to the careful project organization, the construction of the GSM network is progressing as scheduled. Now, it has made positive progress and entered the delivery phase.

Up to the last ten-days of November, the core network in four main cities was successfully launched . Ufone extended great gratitude to Huawei for the record speed of wireless network construction in Pakistan. Up to now, Huawei has finished the delivery of nearly one thousand BTSs to ensure the favoring implementation of the market development planning nationwide. The performance of Ufone's GSM network has been much improved and the coverage has been extended with the rapid increase of subscribers.

Up to now, Huawei has become the largest telecommunication supplier in Pakistan and established good partnership with major operators in Pakistan.

Milestones

• In November 2006, Ufone project was going on successfully, with hundreds of BTSs delivered in compliance with the RFI (Ready for installation) monthly.

• In September 2006, Ufone awarded a USD 550 million contract to Huawei for the construction of a GSM network covering 1,500 cities and towns nationwide.

• In 2004, Ufone entered into cooperation with Huawei in an intelligent network project.