Czech operator Telefonica O2 has granted a contract to China’s Huawei Technologies to expand its 3G network and modernize its 2G network.

“We want to provide the benefits of high speed mobile internet to the most Czech cities. Therefore, we decided to expand our 3G network and modernize our 2G network. To accomplish these tasks, we selected Huawei, one of the most prominent suppliers of mobile network products,” said Salvador Anglada, CEO, Telefónica O2 Czech Republic.

Telefonica O2, which currently provides 3G network coverage based on UMTS/HSDPA technology, aims to expand its coverage to between 20 and 30 towns in the Czech Republic by the end of 2009 and to around 70 percent of the Czech population over the next two to three years, with Huawei’s backing.