As part of an initiative to widen access to mobile broadband services in the world’s one of the most rural and least explored country Papua New Guinea, Ericsson (News 
- Alert), a provider of 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies has started its high- speed internet service in the region.
According to a press release, Papua New Guineans will be able to get mobile broadband services after an agreement between Pacific-Islands-based operator Digicel (News - Alert) Pacific and Ericsson.
Digicel Pacific is a mobile operator in Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Vanuatu and it has also launched 2G/GSM networks in Fiji, Tonga and Nauru. Operator Digicel Pacific moves from 2G to 3G using Ericsson's hybrid power solution, which combines solar panels, rechargeable batteries and diesel generators. Digicel Pacific will benefit from significantly reduced fuel and manpower costs, while mobile subscribers will be offered affordable internet access.
Ericsson will provide network rollout, support and technology-consulting services.
John Mangos, CEO of Digicel Papua New Guinea, says: "Since launching our 2G network in Papua New Guinea in 2007, Ericsson has built more than 600 2G/GSM sites for us. By introducing the RBS 6000 radio base station, the road to introducing 3G/WCDMA was paved and this convinced us to go ahead and launch 3G. It's an important move, not only for us, but even more so for our subscribers."
Rajendra Pangrekar, President and Head of Ericsson Philippines and Pacific Islands says, "The solar hybrid power solution is specifically suited to extremely isolated areas outside the power grid, where the materials and manpower can only be delivered by helicopter. In Papua New Guinea, which is one of the most rural countries in the world - with only 18 percent of the population living in urban areas - this solution is optimal. We see a great interest from operators in the entire region for these types of solutions as more focus is put on saving operation costs and moving to more environmentally friendly solutions."
In other company news, TMCnet reported that Ericsson on May 12, 2011 completed the acquisition of part of business of Guangdong Nortel (News - Alert) Telecommunication Equipment Co., Ltd.
Mandira Srivastava is a TMCnet contributor. She works as a full-time writer, ghostwriter and blogger, and has more than two years of experience in print and Web media. She has also worked on company brochures, website content and product descriptions, as well as proofreading and editing content. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
