Budget-conscious wireless operator Cricket Communications Inc. has expanded its 3G network footprint to include Chicago. But the upgrade to 3G might be followed sooner rather than later with a faster upgrade.
That’s because the 3G network was deployed using Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.’s softswitch, media gateway and 3900-series base station subsystems. Huawei's base station platform supports multiple technologies in one, including LTE, CDMA, GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA, and WiMAX – making for efficient network transitions when the time comes and allowing operators to hedge their bets, as it were. The vendor is meanwhile actively pursuing 4G success and recently was awarded an LTE contract by Swedish operator Telia Sonera.
The Chicago deployment follows a successful 3G launch for the two in Milwaukee last fall.
