Preparing for 4G: Wateen, Qubee to upgrade infrastructure
Huawei Technologies agrees to supply hardware .
The upgrade would enable consumers to get speeds effectively up to 20 mega bits per second (mbps). PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Wateen Telecom and Qubee would be upgrading their existing infrastructure to support high-speed Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 4G broadband in Pakistan, a press release said on Thursday.
The two companies, which announced to consolidate their wireless broadband operations in Pakistan last December, have signed an agreement with Huawei Technologies in Islamabad on Thursday. Under the agreement, Huawei would supply the hardware for this network upgrade, which they expect would be completed by the end of next month.
Asked if the consumers would get 4G services in fixed broadband, Wateen’s Manager Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Salman Mazhar told this correspondent that in the first stage the two companies would upgrade their infrastructure. Announcements regarding the improvement in services or new services would be made later, he said. The company didn’t disclose the investment amount either as Mazhar refused to disclose financial details.
The company, however, says the equipment provided by Huawei would significantly improve the coverage and capacities of the existing networks of Wateen and Qubee, enabling customers to get speeds effectively up to 20 mega bits per second (Mbps).
The move is in line with the policies of WiMAX Forum – the global body that certifies and promotes compatibility and interoperability of WiMAX products and services. About a couple of years ago, Mazhar said, the WiMAX forum had announced a roadmap for WiMAX operators to upgrade their networks to LTE technology.
The network has been designed and dimensioned to provide not only retail but wholesale high speed capacities and support plug and play solutions to consumers, as well as customers from the corporate sector and small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), the company says.
“I am confident that this agreement will catalyse the next revolution in communication services in Pakistan,” Wateen CEO Naeem Zamindar said.
The fixed broad band network would improve the broadband services offering in the country and enable the proposed joint operations to provide high-speed broadband services at affordable prices, the press release said.
Huawei is a key member on the WiMAX Forum and globally known for providing quality hardware to WiMAX operators, Mazhar said in response to a question.
“Emerging services require higher network quality where operators need to pay more attention to the quality of services,” Huawei Pakistan’s Deputy CEO Ahmed Bilal Masud said in the press release. He said his company would provide the required support to the increasing complexity of network architecture through its multi-technology solutions and worldwide expertise.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2014.
Wateen Telecom and Qubee would be upgrading their existing infrastructure to support high-speed Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 4G broadband in Pakistan, a press release said on Thursday.
The two companies, which announced to consolidate their wireless broadband operations in Pakistan last December, have signed an agreement with Huawei Technologies in Islamabad on Thursday. Under the agreement, Huawei would supply the hardware for this network upgrade, which they expect would be completed by the end of next month.
Asked if the consumers would get 4G services in fixed broadband, Wateen’s Manager Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Salman Mazhar told this correspondent that in the first stage the two companies would upgrade their infrastructure. Announcements regarding the improvement in services or new services would be made later, he said. The company didn’t disclose the investment amount either as Mazhar refused to disclose financial details.
The company, however, says the equipment provided by Huawei would significantly improve the coverage and capacities of the existing networks of Wateen and Qubee, enabling customers to get speeds effectively up to 20 mega bits per second (Mbps).
The move is in line with the policies of WiMAX Forum – the global body that certifies and promotes compatibility and interoperability of WiMAX products and services. About a couple of years ago, Mazhar said, the WiMAX forum had announced a roadmap for WiMAX operators to upgrade their networks to LTE technology.
The network has been designed and dimensioned to provide not only retail but wholesale high speed capacities and support plug and play solutions to consumers, as well as customers from the corporate sector and small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), the company says.
“I am confident that this agreement will catalyse the next revolution in communication services in Pakistan,” Wateen CEO Naeem Zamindar said.
The fixed broad band network would improve the broadband services offering in the country and enable the proposed joint operations to provide high-speed broadband services at affordable prices, the press release said.
Huawei is a key member on the WiMAX Forum and globally known for providing quality hardware to WiMAX operators, Mazhar said in response to a question.
“Emerging services require higher network quality where operators need to pay more attention to the quality of services,” Huawei Pakistan’s Deputy CEO Ahmed Bilal Masud said in the press release. He said his company would provide the required support to the increasing complexity of network architecture through its multi-technology solutions and worldwide expertise.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2014.