Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has revealed that it has supplied more than 12,000 3G base stations to Mobile Broadband Network Ltd (MBNL), the network joint-venture between Three and Everything Everywhere, the company that runs Orange and T-Mobile in the UK.

The deployment brings improved coverage and capacity for Three and T-Mobile UK customers. The operators’ mobile radio access networks (RAN) have been consolidated, so that all 3G sites, transmitters, base station equipment and backhaul connected to the operators core networks are now fully configured for high-speed mobile broadband access. The site consolidation landmark follows three years of intensive effort and investment by MBNL and its partners.

Alongside the customer benefits, NSN says that Three and Everything Everywhere will see significant savings and environmental benefits, thanks to network sharing. This has included the switching off of more than 5,000 sites, of which more than 2,000 have already been fully decommissioned – as part of a project recognized as the largest integration of two live networks to have occurred anywhere in the world.
“This was an exciting, challenging and ultimately hugely rewarding project for the team at MBNL,” said Graham Payne of MBNL. “My thanks to all who have worked so hard to deliver this fantastic network, special thanks go to our key partners who are rightly proud of their roles in this project.”

Nokia Siemens Networks is MBNL’s sole 3G equipment supplier, and played a crucial role in the project by providing the entire site installation work, third line operational support services, and spare parts and upgrades.