Nokia Networks and China Mobile have signed a framework agreement for mobile communication equipment and services valued at $970 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Nokia Networks will provide its 4G TD-LTE technology including Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and GSM wireless networking equipment, core application platforms, OSS, software, and services to support China Mobile’s 4G wireless broadband network rollout in 2014 and 2015. Deliveries under the agreement commenced in Q1 of this year.

China Mobile, the world’s largest wireless operator, is spearheading China’s TD-LTE network rollout and commercialization with over 500,000 4G base stations deployed, and says has the goal of building the world’s largest TD-LTE network by the end of 2014.

With 46 TD-LTE radio references, Nokia is supplying approximately half of all commercial TD-LTE networks globally and is the only vendor to have deployed TD-LTE on all six continents. Nokia has also established a complete TD-LTE value chain in China, including TD product headquarters, product design, R&D, testing, manufacturing, procurement, sales and marketing.

[Image courtesy: Nokia Networks]