- The initial phase of the deployment of the Guine Tel network, the first GSM network in Guinea-Bissau, has been completed. The deployment of the network is being done "within an extremely aggressive schedule," operators say.
The US company Tecore Wireless Systems reports that it had completed the initial phase of its deployment of the Guine Tel network last week. This is the first-ever network for GSM cellphone telephony ever to be deployed in Guinea-Bissau.
Guine Tel had ordered Tecore to deploy a network within an extremely aggressive schedule, required a scalable and reliable wireless system and presented a pent-up demand from wireless subscribers, the US company says in a statement released recently.
- With the looming pressure from competitive wireless networks, Guine Tel needed a partner that could activate a lightening-fast response to extending this GSM network into a nationwide deployment, according to Tecore.
João Frederico de Barros, CEO of Guine Tel, expressed his appreciation. "After evaluating many other GSM network suppliers, we are very pleased to have selected Tecore because they had proven experience to rapidly deploy reliable, state-of-the-art GSM networks in difficult environments," commented Mr Barros.
- Tecore's solution is the most innovative and cost-effective wireless platform that enables the feature set of much larger systems, added the Guine Tel leader, "without the need for costly external feature platforms. With less than one percent of Guinea-Bissau households having a fixed line telephone, a scalable solution, fast-deployment and lowest capital expenditure are essential to a short return-on-investment," said Mr de Barros.
He had found that the integrated switching platform, software-defined base stations and professional services delivered by the US company, "our network was deployed and provisioned with revenue-generating prepaid subscribers within 30 days."
Mr de Barros also announced that Guine Tel was "now positioned for the next phase of subscriber capacity and coverage growth." Tecore had been chosen to maintain operations support of the GSM network as the US company already has a regional presence and local deployment.
Also Jay Salkini, chairman and CEO of Tecore, was happy with the deal. "Within a very tight timeline, we designed, planned and implemented this network. Our integrated solution, ability to deliver on short notice, and cost-effectiveness allow operators to depend on us for rapidly deployable, reliable, revenue-generating wireless services," said Mr Salkini.
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