Ericsson is getting in on the increased demand for mobile broadband services in rural areas of the United States.
The infrastructure vendor has inked a deal with the NetAmerica Alliance to supply the radio access network and core network for NetAmerica’s LTE network in rural areas of the country. The planned nationwide LTE network will be shared by multiple independent Tier 2 and Tier 3 operators.
Financial terms of the deal were not released, and neither Ericsson nor NetAmerica provided deals about when the network was expected to begin commercial operations.
"This is a new type of LTE deployment. NetAmerica is making it possible for smaller operators to join together to deliver cost effectively the same mobile broadband services available in major metropolitan areas,” said Arun Bhikshesvaran, Ericsson’s North America strategy chief, in a statement.
Ericsson’s four-year contract with NetAmerica also covers IMS and its mobile home gateway technology, which will integrate with NetAmerica’s existing wireline services.
“We needed a partner who could truly work with us and our alliance participants to not only bring 4G wireless to their communities, but to provide true converged services for their wireline business as well,” said NetAmerica CEO Roger Hutton in a statement. “After an extensive evaluation of all the major suppliers, Ericsson proved to be that partner."
Ericsson also announced that it is working with United Utilities on its $44 million TERRA-Southwest project in Alaska. The project is being financed by stimulus funds and will bring fixed broadband service to 65 rural communities in southwest Alaska when it finishes. According to the terms of the five-year contract, Ericsson will be the sole microwave equipment supplier for the project.
Aside from the rural broadband announcements, Ericsson also announced that it has conducted successful demonstrations of DO Advanced smart networking capabilities for EV-DO Advanced. The company also introduced two new HSPA mobile broadband modules and became a founding member of the New Cities Foundation, a Swiss non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in major metropolitan areas.