Nokia has upgraded the long-haul microwave trunk network of Cosmote, the mobile arm of OTE Group, Greece's largest telecoms provider, to enhance its network capacity and performance, especially in rural locations across the Greek islands.
The upgrade using Nokia 9500 Microwave Packet Radio technology will allow Cosmote to meet growing residential and tourist demand for broadband access in currently underserved parts of the islands. The technology will backhaul data at speeds of 1Gbps via full IP connectivity serving mobile and fixed networks.
By upgrading the existing SDH-microwave trunk-based network, Cosmote was also able to reuse existing passive radio equipment, taking advantage of significant total cost of ownership savings compared to a new deployment.
Nokia's long-haul microwave technology will backhaul traffic generated across several Aegean Islands, offering fiber-like connectivity and backhaul redundancy to ensure reliability of network services. A key component of this deployment is its use of microwave technology to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity to the island of Kastellorizo, the most eastern of the Greek islands, which is more than 150km away from the nearest network point of presence.
"Providing a network across a spread of islands provides its own unique challenges," said Konstantinos Koroneos, head of the OTE/ Cosmote account at Nokia. "Nokia first demonstrated the capabilities of the 9500 MPR in a demanding live field trial, and we are pleased to work with Cosmote as it evolves its network in this commercial deployment."