Pannon contracts Nokia for 3G expansion

Hungarian mobile operator Pannon GSM, a subsidiary of Norway’s Telenor, has contracted Nokia to expand its GSM network and upgrade it to EDGE technology in the greater Budapest region, as well as to deploy its W-CDMA 3G circuit-switched core network nationwide. Deliveries of the EDGE and W-CDMA equipment have already begun, and Nokia will also provide a comprehensive range of services including turnkey network implementation, network performance verification and care services. Pannon GSM claims around 34% of the mobile market in Hungary, with almost three million customers at the end of February.