Malta’s leading wireless operator, Vodafone Malta Ltd, has contracted with the Siemens Communications Group to build its W-CDMA 3G network.

This W-CDMA 3G network, which will cover the entire island of Malta, will be available to personal users, business customers and tourists later this year. Siemens has been an exclusive supplier to Vodafone Malta since 1997, and has already built its GSM network.

In building the W-CDMA 3G network, Siemens will plan, design and optimise the entire radio network and will supply and install the radio and core network technology.

This will enable subscribers to download large volumes of data, such as video clips or e-mail files, for example, over their mobile handsets or laptops while they are out and about.

“With this move, Vodafone Malta is making a further stride toward 3G market leadership on Malta. We are opening up attractive 3G-based opportunities for our customers. Our objective is to be the first wireless operator to offer W-CDMA 3G services in Malta,” said Vodafone Malta’s chief technology officer Joseph Muscat.

“Excellent network quality and attractive 3G services are crucial factors in subscriber acceptance of W-CDMA.

“We are pleased to be able to contribute to successful 3G network operation in Malta with our technology and know-how,” stressed Christoph Caselitz, president of the Mobile Networks Division at Siemens Communications.

With over 170,000 subscribers, Vodafone Malta Ltd is Malta’s largest wireless operator; nearly one out of every three residents makes phone calls over this network.

Together with NEC, Siemens will be able to use this contact to again strengthen its leading market position in W-CDMA network infrastructure.

According to studies conducted by independent industry analysts, Siemens /NEC ranks number one in the 3G/W-CDMA market in terms of commercially installed base stations – NodeBs.