Microcell unit taps Nortel for upgrade

Microcell Connexions, a subsidiary of Microcell Telecommunications, will buy $100 million worth of equipment from Nortel Networks over three years to upgrade its wireless network, the companies announced Tuesday. Nortel will provide to Microcell radio base station and switching equipment, gear that runs on GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). GSM is the standard that powers the majority of cell phone networks in the world. The companies said in a statement that under the deal, Nortel becomes Microcell's primary supplier of GSM switching equipment, and it will help Microcell provide better data services to its 1.2 million customers. Nortel has sold equipment to the Canadian wireless carrier since 1996.