Canadian firm gets largest cellular contract in Pakistan’s history

Ufone, a leading [Pakistani] cellular GSM operator, on Monday signed the single largest expansion contract in Pakistan’s cellular history, with Nortel Networks for the extension of its network in 2004-05.

Under the contract valued at over $125 million, Nortel will expand Ufone’s Global System for Mobile (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks to more than double the existing capacity, including upgradation of existing wireless systems and supply of new GSM/ GPRS core network and radio access equipment.

State-of-the-art Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) will be installed enabling Ufone to provide advanced wireless services. Ufone, a subsidiary of PTCL, introduced GSM cellular services in 2001. It currently has over 1.4 million subscribers and under an aggressive commercial plan, has doubled its customer base as well as extended its network to 30 more cities in a period of just three months…