Singaporean mobile operator MobileOne (M1) has selected China’s Huawei for the ongoing expansion and upgrade of its W-CDMA/HSPA network. No financial details of the contract were disclosed, although it is understood that the vendor will be responsible for developing an all-IP network to meet the operator’s future communications needs. Commenting on the deal, M1 CEO Neil Montefiore said: ‘We have in Huawei a partner that is in the forefront of current and new technologies and with a robust commitment to research and development. Their capabilities will greatly support and complement our efforts to plan ahead to deliver mobile and other services that will meet the future needs of our customers.’
M1 said its first-quarter net profit fell 24% year-on-year to SGD38 million (USD28 million) but said it expects its business to be ‘stable’ in 2008.