Magyar Telekom selects Ericsson to prep network for LTE upgrade path

Magyar Telekom, the Hungarian operator and part of the Deutsche Telekom group, has selected Ericsson to overhaul its ageing network.

Ericsson said it would upgrade Magyar Telekom’s network using its multi-standard RBS 6000 radio cabinets. These will initially deliver HSPA+ services but will enable the network to be smoothly upgraded to LTE once spectrum licenses have been allocated. Some 200 base stations will be upgraded providing HSPA+ speeds up to 21Mbps in Budapest and other locations around the country.

Istvan Maradi, chief technology officer of Magyar Telekom said in a statement, “our partner, Ericsson, will make sure our network will meet the most demanding expectations and help us to stay on top in Hungary. It also makes sense for us to prepare our network for the easy introduction of LTE functionality by using Ericsson’s multi-standard network.”

Nils de Baar, head of global accounts for DT Group at Ericsson, said: “We believe in Magyar Telekom’s wise decision to introduce a multi-standard technology when the aging 2G network needs a strong boost. This will bring both a reduction in OPEX and a better user experience, while also preparing the network to meet the ever-growing demand for mobile broadband.”