Mobitel announces extensive expansion to unveil 3G services

Mobitel, the national mobile service provider, announced its decision to invest in additional mobile communications infrastructure for the launch of its 3G services and to further extend its GSM capacity and coverage.

Under the Stage III expansion drive the capacity will be further extended to serve an additional 750,000 subscribers with 800 new base stations and an intelligent core network equipped with a state-of-the-art soft switch to be fully deployed before the end of 2007.

To this end the company signed a contract with Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd. of China, a global leader in providing next generation telecommunications infrastructure network solutions. While this endeavour by Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, nears completion of the Stage II GSM expansion is to keep in tandem with the technological advancements in the telecom industry in order to cater to the ever changing and evolving needs of mobile telephony users.

The Stage III expansion drive is meant to build on both the existing voice-centric services and to significantly expand non-voice services.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, P. Asoka Weerasinghe De Silva said in statement that this was a significant effort on the part of Sri Lanka's caring network in pledging its continued care and concern towards the main asset of the company - the subscribers.

By being at the forefront with the industry advancements Mobitel with its planned launch of 3G and expansion of GSM services will offer customers compelling and highly competitive voice, broadband and mobile video services.

Commenting on the announcement of the Stage III expansion drive, Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel's Chief Executive Officer, Suren J. Amarasekera, said, "this was an important milestone for the company, as it will increase the potential of the company's offerings to its consumers. It will take the customer to a higher level in mobile communications. Mobitel is extremely focused on transforming the power of its 3G capability into a superior customer experience that will be valued by the customers."