Fujitsu NZ to deliver radio network to Fiji Electrical Authority

Fujitsu New Zealand, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Australia, has secured a Fiji$2million contract from Fiji Electrical Authority for the delivery of an SDH radio network based on new generation leading-edge technology products.

The Fijian electrical distribution company will be the first Fujitsu customer in Oceania to implement the RadioTel STM0 solution since Fujitsu was appointed as distributor of the technology in the region.

Fujitsu New Zealand will deliver a network with equipment installed at 11 locations, to provide control and management of Fiji Electricity Authority's electrical generation facilities. It will also provide enhanced telecommunications facilities for Fiji Electricity Authority's internal use, including voice traffic, faxes and transfer of other data between its offices.

The network spans the main Fiji island Viti Levu, from Suva to Lautoka.

Fujitsu New Zealand won the bid against suppliers of PDH solutions. The new generation technology delivered by RadioTel is very efficient, cost effective and future-proofed. It overcomes the limitations of the older PDH technology by giving carriers greater spectrum efficiency and improved management features based on SDH architectures.

Fujitsu New Zealand has been the major supplier of telecommunications networks into Fiji for the past eight years with sales to Telecom Fiji and FINTEL (Fiji International Telephone Limited). Fujitsu New Zealand already has branch representation in Fiji.

"This win extends Fujitsu New Zealand's leadership in the Fiji market. We look forward to using our regional resources, proven leadership in networking solutions and access to RadioTel technology to supply a superior, cost-effective network management solution that will enhance Fiji Electrical Authority's operations," Fujitsu New Zealand's Telecommunications Manager, Stan Baker said.

RadioTel Chief Executive Officer Rony Levy said the early success of the distribution partnership was an important step in the relationship between Fujitsu and Israel-based RadioTel.

"Within a few weeks of signing the teaming agreement with us, Fujitsu tendered for the business in Fiji. On the merit of its systems integration experience and know-how, Fujitsu won the tender with equipment from RadioTel. This is a successful consummation of the distribution agreement between our two companies," Mr Levy said.

The multiplex component of the network was developed in Melbourne by Fujitsu Australia, one of Fujitsu's six international centres of excellence. It is a tried and proven system with installations in tens of thousands of locations throughout the world.

Implementation of the new network is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2002.