Idea Cellular Limited, a leading Indian GSM mobile services provider and an Aditya Birla Group company, and Nokia Siemens Networks today announced signing of a USD 500 million GSM network expansion contract. Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Network will expand Idea Cellular’s GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks to cover population centres across six circles of Delhi, Haryana, UP East, UP West, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

The two year contract includes supply and services of GSM equipment, Intelligent Network, Value Added Services and Circuit and Packet core equipment. Nokia Siemens Networks will deploy the latest state of art equipment like flexi BTS, mini-ultra base stations, Release 4 architecture, media gateways and MSS servers.

Said Mr. Sanjeev Aga, Managing Director, Idea Cellular, “IDEA has been at the forefront of providing innovative voice and data services to its customers by leveraging the best technologies. This expansion is a part of our larger growth strategy to take our services to more consumers by penetrating deeper in the circles we operate. This will allow us to more than double our existing capacity and reach out to thousands of new population centres in these circles.” He added, “Nokia Siemens Networks with its cutting edge technology, and its long standing relationship with Idea, is a key partner in our program of taking our business to a higher trajectory.”

“This win is special since it is our first contract with Idea Cellular as the new entity, Nokia Siemens Networks. It is also a testimony to our continued partnership with Idea,” said Mr. Ashish Chowdhary, Head of India Sub-region, Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our innovative product portfolio and services capabilities will redefine the entire approach of providing networks that are affordable and quality-rich. This contract would support Idea to offer its subscribers an outstanding network experience even as services are expanded to newer population centres.

Nokia Siemens Networks brings together two major wireless and fixed technology players, Nokia’s Networks Business Group, and the carrier related businesses of Siemens Communications. It is ready to serve customers with a best-in-class portfolio that is underpinned by a strong presence in the growing services market, a powerful global R&D team, and a huge global installed base.