Nortel wins GSM, CDMA-450 contracts in Belize

Belize Telemedia (also known as Belize Telecom [BTL]) has contracted Nortel Networks to assist it in expanding wireless coverage to rural communities and upgrading its mobile infrastructure with advanced technology platforms. Under the deal, Nortel will upgrade BTL’s current GSM/GPRS 1900MHz infrastructure, built by Siemens, to an EDGE-enabled 850MHz/1900MHz network, boosting coverage, capacity and functionality. Additionally, BTL plans to launch a new network based on Nortel-supplied CDMA 1xRTT and 1xEV-DO technologies in the 450MHz band to extend services in rural communities. ‘With the implementation of the CDMA/EV-DO platform, utilising the 450MHz frequency, we are providing voice and high speed internet service for the more rural and remote locations in Belize, which in turn will act as a primary generator of growth for those local economies,’ BTL’s chairman of the executive committee Dean Boyce said. BTL’s network replacement and upgrade will also use Nortel’s all-IP product line which includes a new Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture, Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), Server and Home Location Register (HLR), which enables operators to support multiple services and applications on the same platform. The new product line also includes high-density VoIP Media Gateways.