Three has selected Nokia Networks to develop and upgrade mobile network — 2G and 3G — as part of €300 million network investment plan.
The selection follows Three’s recent acquisition of O2 in Ireland.
As part of the deal, Three will deploy new technology and hardware from September and the telecom project will be completed by 2017.
David Hennessy, chief technical officer of Three, said: “Following on from Three’s successful acquisition of O2 in Ireland, this significant network investment further demonstrates our commitment to roll out a quality network for our customers.”
Nokia Networks will provide its Single RAN platform based on Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station for 2G and 3G. It will modernize the core network with its Liquid Core based Open Mobile Softswitch (MSS) and Open Media Gateway (MGW), as well as provide its Subscriber Data Management solution.
In addition, Nokia Networks will deploy its cloud-ready OSS system, NetAct, for monitoring, managing and optimizing 3 Ireland’s network.
The company’s network sharing and consolidation services, including Network Planning, Network Implementation and System Integration, will ensure a seamless transition and high network quality for 3 Ireland.
The contract also includes hardware, software and competence development services.
In July 2014, Three completed the acquisition of O2 in Ireland, which was previously owned by Telefonica.
This deal takes Three’s market share to 37 percent and brings subscriber numbers to over 2m active users.
Three has so far invested over €1.1 billion in the Three Irish business.
This, together with the purchase of O2 in Ireland and the planned investment of €300 million to build a 4G network over the next three years, will bring its total investment in Ireland to circa €2 billion.
Three is part of HWL’s 3 Group Europe which operates 3G services in Ireland, UK, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden. 3 Group Europe has over 22 million customers.
