T-Mobile and 3 have selected BT's IP-based
21st Century Network (21CN) to support backhaul services on
their
3G mobile networks.
Through a joint venture company, the two mobile operators have
signed a five-year managed network systems agreement with BT to
provide high-speed, next-generation links connecting 7,500 base
station sites on their consolidated 3G infrastructure.
The network services contract supersedes the original contracts
that BT had in place with both T-Mobile and 3 UK.
T-Mobile and 3 formed their infrastructure sharing agreement in
January 2008. The network consolidation agreement is significantly
increasing both operators' 3G network quality and coverage,
accelerating the provision of new high-speed mobile broadband
services.
It will also deliver substantial cost savings as well as
environmental benefits.
Emin Gurdenli, technology director at T-Mobile UK, said, "We are
now moving ahead with the large scale consolidation of cell sites
with the objective of achieving scale and integrating quickly and
smoothly.
"This agreement with BT will make sure backhaul is not a
constraint now or in the future at a time when T-Mobile is
experiencing strong growth in mobile broadband and other mobile
data services. It will help ensure we continue to deliver a
superior mobile broadband experience to our customers."