Nokia widens Cosmote’s network in Greece

Nokia has upgraded the long-haul microwave trunk network of Cosmote, the mobile arm of OTE Group, Greece’s largest telecoms operator, 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, said a press release.

The new technology will backhaul data at the speed 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 fibre-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 Kastel-lorizo, the eastern most Greek island which is more than 150km away from the nearest network point of presence.