Launch of first TDD-LTE 2.5 GHz fixed wireless trial in Canada
BEIJING, Sept. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - SaskTel and Huawei today announced the signing of an agreement to launch a TDD-LTE (Long Term Evolution) fixed wireless trial in Saskatchewan. The trial will help determine the feasibility of wireless broadband and voice services for customers in predominantly rural locations, using Huawei solutions and equipment. The agreement was signed in Huawei's traditional courtyard facility in Beijing, by Ron Styles, SaskTel President and CEO, and Sean Yang, President of Huawei Canada. The signing was witnessed by Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan.
"This is another great first in a long list of firsts for SaskTel, and I am pleased that SaskTel is continuing its commitment to investigating opportunities to provide rural customers with advanced communications solutions," Premier Brad Wall said.
"We are very pleased to be working with SaskTel in launching Canada's first 2.5 GHz TDD-LTE deployment," said Sean Yang. "The ability to bring next generation high-speed wireless technology to residents and businesses across the Province is critical to ensuring Saskatchewan is able to compete and innovate with markets around the world."
The trial will occur in a minimum of three rural locations and will provide the latest wireless broadband speeds available. LTE will reach download speeds of approximately 100 Mbps per second, compared to existing 4G wireless technology reaching speeds of 21 Mbps. In addition, the trial will encompass the provisioning of equipment to a local telephone service, in order to determine comparability with existing landline services using copper wire infrastructure.
"SaskTel's copper infrastructure dates back to the 1960s and we are fast approaching the need to replace and upgrade this technology," said Ron Styles, SaskTel President and CEO. "With the positive partnership that has evolved with Huawei with our 4G network and our mobile LTE wireless deployment efforts that are underway, we are very pleased to partner with them to complete this trial."
The trial is scheduled to be launched in rural locations in Saskatchewan by the end of December, 2012 and will conclude in August, 2013. Following the completion of the trial, Huawei and SaskTel will work jointly to analyze results, and provide a report that includes an economic overview for the replacement of parts of its rural copper network.
About SaskTel
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.1 billion in annual revenue and over 1.4 million customer connections including over 594,000 wireless accesses, 514,000 wireline network accesses, 234,000 internet accesses and 93,000 Max™ (TV) subscribers. SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, internet, entertainment, national security, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,000 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.
About Huawei
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Huawei has operated in Canada since 2008, employing over 440 people in Canada. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 140 countries, serving more than one third of the world's population.
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Image with caption: "Mr. Qu Wenchu, Senior Vice President Government Relations, Huawei welcomes Premier Brad Wall of Saskatchewan to Huawei's ceremonial courtyard in Beijing (CNW Group/Huawei)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120910_C5056_PHOTO_EN_17600.jpg
Image with caption: "Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall witnesses the signing of an agreement between SaskTel and Huawei Canada to trial next generation wireless broadband technology in rural Saskatchewan. Front: Ron Styles, President and CEO, SaskTel; Sean Yang, President Huawei Canada. Rear: Premier Brad Wall; Mr. Qu Wenchu, Senior Vice President Government Relations, Huawei. (CNW Group/Huawei)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120910_C5056_PHOTO_EN_17601.jpg
Image with caption: "Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall tours Huawei's ceremonial courtyard with Mr. Qu Wenchu, Senior VP Government Relations for Huawei, at an event to announce an agreement between SaskTel and Huawei to trial broadband wireless technology in rural Saskatchewan (CNW Group/Huawei)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120910_C5056_PHOTO_EN_17602.jpg
SOURCE: Huawei
Darcee MacFarlane, SaskTel Corporate Communications
T: (306) 777-4441
[email protected]
Scott Bradley, VP Corporate and Government Affairs
Huawei Canada
T: 613.595.1900 x.1400 M: 613.558.5333
[email protected]
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