Ericsson in network upgrade, expansion for Wind Hellas in Greece

Ericsson has upgraded and expanded the GSM/WCDMA core network for leading Greek telecom operator WIND Hellas.

Under the agreement, Ericsson provided a turnkey solution including network design, equipment supply and migration to the new core infrastructure, as well as network deployment and systems integration. Ericsson was also responsible for network and business support systems, to ensure a seamless transition and handle increased traffic growth.

WIND Hellas‘ single core network is now based on Ericsson’s Mobile Softswitch Solution (MSS), which allows the operator to deliver a common service experience for its 2G and 3G customers. It is an important step towards an all-IP network, enabling a reduction in network operating costs.

“Our aim is to leverage on existing infrastructure to boost network capacity, performance and reliability in order to meet increased subscriber growth and consumer appetite for multimedia services,” said Fotis Konstantellos, Chief Network Officer at WIND Hellas. “Ericsson’s solution will enable us to effectively prepare our network to handle high-speed communications and personalized multimedia services”.

WIND Hellas Telecommunications SA is at the forefront of telecoms in Greece and its brand stands for innovative products and services in mobile and fixed telephony as well as broadband Internet, offering to more then 5 mln customers premium solutions. WIND Hellas is part of Weather Investments, a global telecommunication group controlled by the Sawiris family and Naguib Sawiris. Weather owns Wind Telecommunicazioni spa, the third largest mobile operator and second largest fixed line operator in Italy as well as a 50% plus one share of Orascom Telecom Holding that operates GSM networks in seven high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.