Cellular One of East Central Illinois today announced plans to overlay its existing cellular system with a Nokia GSM/GPRS network provided by Nokia's North American Value Added Reseller Commnet Supply. The system will be deployed throughout Cellular One's IL7 and IL9 markets.
"We are excited about the opportunity to provide our customers with the advanced services the Nokia platform will allow us to offer," said Jerry Geren, General Manager of Cellular One. "Commnet's comprehensive package of equipment and professional services will help us meet the needs of our customers and roaming partners with the features they demand, while positioning ourselves to migrate to future 3G technologies."
The network will consist of 33 EDGE/WCDMA-ready UltraSites as well as Nokia's MSCi and BSC3i network elements. In addition, Commnet will provide a full complement of engineering, installation, and optimization services.
"Nokia's UltraSite platform provides Cellular One with the power and economics that are essential to rural service providers," said Bill Levy, Sales Director at Commnet Supply. "Not only will Cellular One have the latest wireless technology platform, but they will be able to evolve that platform to future technologies in a graceful and cost effective manner."
Cellular One is targeting June 1, 2004 as the in-service date for the new network.