Order volume of 20 million euros
The Serbian operator 063 Mobtel Srbija (Mobtel) has selected the mobile communication group at Siemens AG, Siemens mobile, as supplier for the expansion of its GSM network. The framework contract encompasses the delivery and installation of GSM radio technology and microwave radio relay. In two phases, Siemens mobile will deliver and install base stations, switching systems, and microwave technology to connect the base stations with each other. The project should be completed by the end of this year. The order is worth 20 million euros.
Mobtel was founded in April 1994 and started operating its GSM network in October 1996. The company’s network covers 90 percent of Serbia’s territory and 95 percent of the population. The mobile operator currently has about two million subscribers. To meet the rising needs of its customers for new applications, Mobtel integrated GPRS technology in its network last year. By the end of 2004 the operator wants to take the next step and introduce EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution). This will permit higher data rates than GPRS and hence allow multimedia data services, such as videostreaming.
“The Serbian mobile market offers great growth potential”, said Patrick Harpur, CEO of Mobtel. “We are relying on Siemens mobile as a dependable partner to expand our existing network and help us to introduce EDGE.”
“We are pleased to have now acquired Serbia’s second mobile operator as a customer”, said Christoph Caselitz, head of the Networks Division at Siemens mobile. “This first order from Mobtel will lay the ideal foundation for additional joint activities in Serbia.”