T-Mobile and 3 Broadband Signs 3G Contract
Acknowledging the call from the mobile broadband serviceproviders of the UK, T-Mobile and 3 Broadband, Arqiva, a renowned telecoms infrastructure firm of the UK has agreed to provide MBNL (Mobile Broadband Network Ltd) network infrastructure. Mobile Broadband Network Ltd is joint venture by Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Mobile and 3 Broadband that belongs to Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.
The news on the fresh contract was revealed by the two companies jointly. This would be a ten year contract term, under the terms of which MBNL would acquire 5100 cell sites from Arqiva. Arqiva, meanwhile is a Winchester based company owned mostly by Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group of Australia. However, the financial details pertaining to the deal was not unveiled.
Currently, a rapid fire programme for consolidating sites has been undertaken by MBNL. This also includes expansion of capacity as well as cell site equipment upgrades. MBNL, with all these development work, attempts to present a comprehensively integrated network by 2010. For more information, 3 Group and T-Mobile had formed MBNL by signing an agreement for infrastructure consolidation in January 2008. The aim was to realize the most extensive 3G network in the UK.
The two broadband providing giants of the UK, over the next decade, jointly expect to generate savings of around GBP 2 million, mainly owing to the capital investment reduction in infrastructure, along with reduced costs of operation achieved by the synergic management.
