Telecommunication equipment maker Ericsson has bagged a contract from China Unicom to deploy WCDMA networks and services to 15 Chinese provinces, for an undisclosed amount.

As a part of the contract, Ericsson and its other partners will offer WCDMA core and/or radio access network systems in 15 provinces such as Beijing, Jilin, Jiangsu, Hubei, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Anhui, Henan, Hainan, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Shandong, Guangdong and Hunan.

Besides, Ericsson will also be tasked with rendering second and third generation common core platform, WCDMA RAN system, network rollout services, tuning, spare parts and training services over the coming months.

Concurrently, China Unicom has also awarded two separate deals to Ericsson- to supply WCDMA networks and services for 15 Chinese provinces, and to step up the compan’s GSM networks to support 2G/3G interoperability functions in 10 provinces, including Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan and Hainan.

Speaking at the occasion, Mats H Olsson, President of Ericsson Greater China, said, “We are extremely honored to be chosen by China Unicom for the first phase of their WCDMA network deployment in China. The contract further strengthens Ericsson''s position as the leading mobile communications supplier in the Chinese market and demonstrates yet again our long-term strategic partnership with China Unicom.”

The services are already on a roll out.