The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), the primary telecom operator in the Bahamas, has selected Nortel to expand its GSM network services throughout the country. The network expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008.

Nortel's upgrade of BTC's existing TDMA network to GSM will also include the Nortel's EDGE platform.

"This network expansion will keep BTC at the leading edge of telecommunications in Bahamas with a fast and reliable nationwide wireless network," said Ray Bulengo, vice president, Carrier Sales, Caribbean Region and Bermuda, Nortel. "Nortel has a longstanding relationship with BTC which is based on our ability to deliver customer satisfaction again and again through the quality, reliability and scalability of our wireless services and solutions."

The software upgrade will allow BTC to evolve their network to Evolved EDGE which will support speeds up to 1 Mbps. In addition, Nortel's Evolved EDGE will serve as a bridge to next generation LTE technology in a cost effective way.