(Original title: Bhutan Telecom partners with Ericsson for first LTE deployment in the country)

  • Ericsson to deploy country’s first LTE network
  • Pilot Commercial LTE services initially to be launched in Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu
  • With the introduction of LTE, Bhutan Telecom will be able to offer higher peak data rates and scalable bandwidth with increased spectral efficiency
  • Subscribers will enjoy faster mobile data speeds, with an enhanced overall user experience

Bhutan Telecom (BT) is the largest telecom operator in the Kingdom of Bhutan and has partnered with Ericsson since 2003 to roll out mobile services in the country. 3G services were launched in 2008 and LTE will be implemented this year. Ericsson is proud to partner with BT to deploy LTE for the first time in the Kingdom. With this, the operator will be able to offer higher peak data rates, scalable bandwidth and benefit from increased spectral efficiency. Bhutan Telecom subscribers will enjoy faster data speeds and an enhanced user experience. Commercial LTE services will initially be launched in Bhutan’s capital city, Thimpu.

As part of the 4G deployment, Ericsson will provide Bhutan Telecom with LTE equipment in the 1800 MHz spectrum band, including its latest RBS 6000 radio base station technology. This will enable energy-efficient and cost-effective operations while allowing Bhutan Telecom to offer faster mobile internet connectivity. As a multi-standard base station, the RBS 6000 supports GSM/EDGE, CDMA, WCDMA/HSPA and LTE in a single package to ensure smooth transition and upgrade to new technologies in the future.

Mr. Nidup Dorji, CEO of Bhutan Telecom said, “We are constantly looking at ways to provide our subscribers with enhanced user experience. As data usage increases, our major network initiatives including last year’s 3G network modernization and rollout of 4G in the capital city this year will be critical in ensuring we deliver the best services to our subscribers. By extending our long-standing relationship with Ericsson through this contract, we will make sure to meet the increasing demand for data services from customers including the growing number of tourists who visit Bhutan.”

Fredrik Jejdling Head Region India, Ericsson said, “The increasing use of smart devices and data-hungry applications is putting a huge pressure on operators to continue evolving their mobile broadband strategy.4G LTE gives users more of what they want; faster data access. It will transform the way people in Bhutan communicate, share information, collaborate, consume content and stay connected.”

Under the contract, Ericsson will also provide its Home Subscriber Server (HSS) functionality that contains subscription-related information and performs authentication and authorization of the user. The company will upgrade Bhutan Telecom’s Packet Core to a multi-access Evolved Packet Core to optimize network operation and minimize the total cost of ownership. The contract includes provisioning of LTE software for various nodes, and services including network implementation, commissioning and integration.

Source: http://bit.ly/Z28FzH