The same partnership has already been responsible for building 3G networks in Peru and Chile.
NII acquired a 30MHz spectrum licence in Mexico in Q4 2010 and successfully bid for a national 3G licence in Brazil. A spokesperson from NII Holdings said: “NII will be able to improve cost structures, creating opportunities to expand into new segments and expand its coverage.”
Huawei will be responsible for creating the W-CDMA solutions for Nextel Brazil and Nextel Mexico, adding to NII’s core network, its radio access network and backhaul provisions. Alan Strauss, EVP, chief technology officer from NII Holdings said: “Our expanded relationship with Huawei demonstrates our commitment to our 3G strategy in the Latin America region.”
“It is imperative that NII upgrades its systems and push-to-talk capabilities to offer the types of services its higher-value business users will demand,” said David Leach, senior analyst at TeleGeography. “This move to W-CDMA is an attempt by NII to address its dilemma over the outdated nature of its legacy networks in each country.”
