Milan, Italy – September 22, 2011
Mobile Internet continues to get faster for WIND customers
Tests carried out in Milan by WIND and Nokia Siemens Networks on mobile broadband connections achieve speeds of up to 42 Mbps
WIND Telecommunicazioni in Italy continues to invest in modernizing its radio network with the aim of improving mobile broadband speeds to offer high-quality, innovative services. Tests carried out in Milan on mobile broadband connections have been successfully completed, achieving speeds of up to 42 Mbps (megabits per second), thanks to Nokia Siemens Networks’ radio access technology. The introduction of HSPA+ at 42 Mbps (High Speed Packet Access Plus) will improve the reliability of mobile internet connections for data intensive services used by smartphone users while reducing the network energy consumption for the operator. The technology will also ready the network for future improvements expected from LTE technology.
“In order to improve the quality of services for our customers and rapidly expand our mobile broadband business, we needed strategic partners to implement technology quickly and smoothly,” said Ziad Shatara, CTO, WIND. “With its ability to innovate, vast experience in network modernization and focus on energy efficiency, we found an ideal partner in Nokia Siemens Networks. The company’s systems are already prepared for future technological evolutions in radio access networks.”
“Customer satisfaction has always been WIND’s top priority. Constantly improving our mobile network speed for data services is one of our priorities to achieve this,” added Maximo Ibarra, business unit consumer director, WIND. “At present we have over 4.5 million customers who use mobile internet, and we are constantly investing in technology to improve the quality of service for them.”
“The enormous popularity of smart devices is putting WIND’s networks under pressure,” said Roberto Bagnoli, head of customer business team WIND Telecomunicazioni at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our systems allow WIND to upgrade its infrastructure performance and constantly improve the end-user experience while keeping operating costs under control.”
Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single RAN solution is based on Flexi Multiradio Base Stations, which are energy efficient, modular and able to combine different types of technology in the same product. There are already several Flexi Base Stations in the WIND network that currently support both GSM technology and HSPA. These base stations are capable of supporting the upgraded version of HSPA (HSDPA up to 84 Mbps and HSUPA up to 11 Mbps), WCDMA 900 and LTE using simple software upgrades. This will allow WIND to launch a series of new multimedia services designed to satisfy the needs of a particular group of users that is growing at an exponential rate.
The project also includes the modernization and expansion of GSM infrastructure, and upgrading of its NetAct platform – Nokia Siemens Networks’ management system for monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing the network.
About WIND Telecomunicazioni S.p.a.
WIND is one of the few European operators to offer integrated mobile telephone, landline and Internet services. It is the third-largest mobile operator in Italy and the number one alternative operator in the landline telephone market. Its brands focus on specific types of services: the WIND brand covers mobile telephone services and convergent services; the Infostrada brand covers landline and Internet services, both broadband and dial-up. In the mobile telephone sector, WIND is increasing the number of its customers – up to 20.6 million as of 30th June 2011 – thanks to a growth strategy based on simple and transparent sales offers, combined with high quality services, particularly the network structure and customer care. The latter received the international “Les palmes de la relation client 2010” prize, awarded in Paris, for the Best Customer Satisfaction in Italian telecommunications. Even as far as landline telephone services are concerned, WIND is consolidating its position as the main alternative operator, through its Infostrada brand, with a portfolio of simple, complete and inexpensive deals that cover all voice and ADSL service needs. As of 30th June 2011, Infostrada’s voice customer base is about 3.13 million, up 7.7%, with 2.08 million broadband customers, up 18%. WIND relies on about 20,000 km of fibre optic backbone and over 4,000 km of urban loops. The company boasts a widespread and innovative mobile radio network with more than 12,000 radio base stations, and coverage abroad is ensured by the many roaming agreements it has made. www.windgroup.it
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
