Golden Telecom To Launch Moscow's First Wireless Mesh Network With Nortel Solution
Network Covers 3.9 Million Moscow Households
Golden Telecom, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLDN), a leading Russia-based service provider, is using wireless mesh network technology from Nortel (NYSE/TSX: NT) to build Moscow's first wireless mesh network. Golden Telecom provides integrated communications and Internet service to major cities throughout Russia and countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The mesh network, consisting of 5,000 Nortel WiFi access points, expands Golden Telecom's broadband communication services to include universal indoor and outdoor wireless access to approximately 3.9 million households in Moscow. Golden Telecom plans to offer wireless broadband services that will be competitively priced and offer higher speed services than many other Internet access services currently available.
The network supports advanced wireless services such as VoIP, high-speed Internet services and location-based services packaged with the Aport Internet search engine. Location-based services provide relevant information such as maps, entertainment listings, or local amenities by automatically detecting a user's location.
Following tests of the network, which are expected to be complete in summer 2006, Golden Telecom will phase in subscriber access plans throughout Moscow.
"Golden Telecom's continuing and successful collaboration with Nortel in deploying advanced communications technologies is important to furthering the development of a competitive communications infrastructure in the Russian Federation," said Jena-Pierre Vandromme, CEO, Golden Telecom.
"Our common objective with Golden Telecom is to design and deploy the most cost-effective wireless mesh technology available in the industry today," said Sorin Lupu, president Nortel Eastern Europe. "Together with Golden Telecom, Nortel is helping speed the delivery of more secure, high-quality and cost-efficient communications services to end-users in Russia. Nortel's wireless mesh technology is being used in two of the world's largest mesh deployments - with Taipei City in Taiwan and now with Golden Telecom."
Nortel's Wireless Mesh Network solution uses wireless links - based on WiFi technology - to connect access for more secure, seamless access to wireless broadband services. Nortel's solution is designed to provide wireless LANs in areas where it is difficult or cost prohibitive to run cables, helping service providers like Golden Telecom avoid additional capital costs required to lay fixed lines to connect access points.
The new mesh network provides end-to-end security and seamless mobility of users across its coverage area. The high reliability and availability of the network is maintained through the self-recovery function of Nortel's mesh solution which restores connectivity in the event of an individual node or network failure.
The mesh network is connected to a city-wide carrier Ethernet network deployed by Nortel for Golden Telecom in November 2003. This network allows Golden Telecom to provide Ethernet VPN connectivity to enterprises in major business centres and customer locations throughout Moscow.
Nortel has designed, installed and launched more than 300 wireless networks in over 70 countries. Nortel was the industry's first supplier with wireless networks operating in all advanced radio technologies and is the only end-to-end provider of all next generation wireless solutions. Nortel's leadership in wireless data networks coupled with its enterprise strategy of delivering seamless voice, data, multimedia and converged IP-enabled solutions will allow businesses and consumers to enjoy a seamless, mobile broadband experience.
About Nortel
Nortel is a recognised leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global commerce, and secure and protect the world's most critical information. Our next-generation technologies, for both service providers and enterprises, span access and core networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications, and help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people with information. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.