The agreement includes the GSM network solutions directed towards addressing the mass market. SMART, the Philippines’ leading wireless services provider with 17.5 million subscribers on its network as of end-September 2004, and Nokia will also cooperate to create and test new technologies and solutions.
“SMART aims to offer innovative, reliable and affordable mobile services as widely as possible. These investments will allow us to deliver life-enhancing services to our subscribers, thereby bridging further the digital divide in the Philippines,” says Napoleon L. Nazareno, SMART President and CEO.
“SMART’s GSM network expansion and enhancements are geared towards providing cost-effective coverage and increasing current subscriber capacity for better customer service. We are continuing to pursue our thrust to provide telecommunications services to underserved and unserved areas of the country,” adds Ramon S. Fernandez, SMART’s head for administration and materials management division.
“We are always behind SMART in their quest to maintain their leadership role in the mobile industry. The world recognizes SMART as an innovation leader in the delivery of value added services. We are very pleased with the continued trust shown upon us by SMART with this contract,” says Markku Nieminen, Account Director for SMART, Networks, Nokia.
Nokia has been working with SMART since 1998, providing comprehensive services for the operator’s GSM/GPRS/EDGE infrastructure over this period.