Vodafone to select non Chinese vendor for 3G equipment

Vodafone Essar is all set to place orders with Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and Ericsson for e3G quipment in India, and plans to launch 3G services by the end of the year. It had paid about Rs 11,600 crore for 3G mobile spectrum in India.
A person familiar with the developments said, "Vodafone is all set to select a non Chinese vendor for providing 3G equipment in India."
He added that Vodafone had earlier placed an order for 2G equipment with NSN and Ericsson, and that the order for 3G equipment will also be placed with them across the nine circles that Vodafone won spectrum for in the recent auctions.
Another source familiar with the development said, "The contract for 3G equipment by Vodafone to NSN and Ericsson might be given this week."
Vodafone has bagged 3G spectrum in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal circles.
While neither confirming nor denying the development, Kanika Atri, head of marketing at Nokia Siemens Networks, India, said, "We recently announced India's first private operator 3G deal with Tata Teleservices and we look forward to partnering with other operators in ushering 3G in India. Nokia Siemens Networks is uniquely positioned and committed to rapidly deliver 3G in India."
Vodafone and Ericsson refused to comment on the development.
The Department of Telecom (DoT) had allotted 3G spectrum on September 1 to all the successful bidders, who have already announced that they are more or less ready with their roll-out plans.
Some of them, such as Tata Teleservices (TTSL), have already chosen a vendor for 3G equipment; TTSL has selected Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei. Other service providers are also in the advanced stages of finalising vendors.