Batelco, a leading telecom group in Bahrain, has selected Ericsson as the sole supplier for its LTE (long-term evolution) and WCDMA (wideband code division multiple access) expansion plans in the kingdom.

The network will be expanded to cover new areas in the country, and upgraded to provide faster mobile broadband connections for subscribers. This means that Batelco will be able to offer enhanced cloud and multimedia services to a larger part of the population.

“Consumers will benefit from the upgraded mobile broadband network and have access to the internet at speeds of up to 150 megabits per second. We are confident that with Ericsson’s innovative technology, we will provide the best user experience for our subscribers,” said Rashid Abdulla, chief executive officer, Batelco.

Ericsson will install LTE base stations in the new areas and upgrade the Evolved Packet Core network. Support for LTE roaming is also introduced by means of the new Ericsson Diameter Signaling Controller, which helps operators manage roaming relations while improving service reliability and network security.

“The successful partnership between Batelco and Ericsson started more than two decades ago. Batelco continues to expand their network for exponential data growth, and we have once again been trusted to help them deliver a superior mobile-broadband experience to their subscribers,” said Anders Lindblad, president of Ericsson Region Middle East. – TradeArabia News Service