14th May 2008, Leatherhead, UK – AIRCOM International, the leading independent mobile network planning and optimisation consultancy, has won a contract with Vietnamese mobile network operator, Vinaphone, to provide RF network planning, design support and surveying activities for the expansion of its GSM 900 network. AIRCOM will provide network planning and design services for 1212 macrosites in 27 province’s capitals and along Vietnam’s national highway.

The deal, which comes on the back of a commercial bidding procedure, sees AIRCOM deliver a range of consultancy services, including network planning and formal on-the-job training, to Vinaphone.  AIRCOM was the clear winner in terms of quality and commercial competitiveness and was seen to offer the best services to help resolve Vinaphone’s network expansion requirements. 

“We’re delighted to have won the opportunity to do more work with a growing network operator like Vinaphone,” said Nick Brown, Regional MD Asia, at AIRCOM International.  “We had experience of working with Vinaphone in the past, having carried out some minor consulting projects as well as network planning and management tools supply, so to have been brought on board to help with the network expansion is a great result.  It shows our consultancy services must really help operators with their long-term goals.” 

Vinaphone is a subsidiary of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation and currently boasts more than 8 million subscribers in the country.  It is expanding its existing GSM network to boost subscriber numbers and provide service coverage to all nationwide districts through the installation of an extra 5,000 base transmission stations (BTS).   With AIRCOM’s support, Vinaphone wants to have some 9,000 optimised BTS installed on its network by the end of the year.