Brussels, 4 November 2004 - The radio infrastructure for the Mobistar 3G network will be supplied by Nortel Networks. This decision was approved by Mobistar's Board of Directors, following a selection procedure carried out in cooperation with France Telecom and the Orange Group.
This decision is an important step in the introduction of the 3G technology by Mobistar in Belgium. This collaboration should give Mobistar a completely upgraded access network, and enable it to maintain its position at the forefront of mobile telephony in Belgium. Mobistar's prime objective is to meet the growing demand of an increasing number of customers, while offering them the highest performing products and services.
The 3G infrastructure proposed by Nortel Networks was tested on an experimental network deployed in Toulon (France). Nortel Networks also supplied the 3G infrastructure deployed in Cannes on the occasion of the most recent GSM World Congress as well as the Orange 3G access network in France.
Mobistar is gradually introducing the 3G technology in Belgium while continuing its investments in the existing network, in order to offer a high-quality service throughout Belgium and meet increased demand for capacity from Belgian users. Thanks to the deployment of 3G, Mobistar will be able to supplement its existing range of products and services: in practice, the introduction of the 3G technology will result in a significant improvement in the speed of data transmission, greater personal and business productivity, richer content, new videoconferencing and video telephone services, etc.
Mobistar will launch an UMTS-offer for the business market in Antwerp in the first semester of 2005. Brussels and other main cities will be served afterwards.