Huawei Wins HSPA+ Network Contract from SaskTel

Huawei will provide SaskTel with network infrastructure for its HSPA+ build out, offering SaskTel customers a peak rate of up to 21 Mb/s. Initially based on the latest version of HSPA technology, the network will complement SaskTel's existing 2G network and future-proof SaskTel for a smooth transition to fourth generation technology based on the emerging, global long-term evolution (LTE) standard.

We are confident that Huawei will provide SaskTel with industry leading UMTS/HSPA network technology now the world standard of cellular networks positioning us well for future deployment of LTE, said Robert Watson, SaskTel President and CEO. This new UMTS/HSPA network will enable SaskTel customers to enjoy the benefits of using UMTS and HSPA compatible cellular and data devices, and will allow them to use their phone on similar networks across Canada and around the world.

As part of Huawei' s All-IP convergence strategy, our SingleRAN solution enables operators to reduce footprint, to reduce costs and to simplify operation and management – ultimately allowing operators worldwide to move to LTE with little more than a software upgrade, said Carl Liu, President of Huawei Canada.

Huawei' s industry-leading SingleRAN solution supports network multi-mode convergence and evolution while reducing total costs of ownership for operators. Huawei's end-to-end LTE solution provides an All-IP, high speed, low latency and highly spectrum efficient mobile network, which greatly enhances the experience of mobile multi-media services. Huawei' s CDMA/LTE or UMTS/LTE SingleRAN solution, plus self-organizing network (SON) technology, enable operators to gain the competitive advantage while reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).

As of January 2010, Huawei has established 36 HSPA+ networks with global operators, among which 20 HSPA+ commercial networks and 16 HSPA+ network in deployment or in trial.