Orange names network building partners

Orange has chosen Alcatel, Ericsson and Nokia to help build its European 3G network.

France Telecom short-listed the three phone equipment makers in October last year and yesterday French newspaper Les Echos confirmed Nokia will build Orange's network in the UK, and work alongside Alcatel to build its French network. In Germany, Ericsson and Nokia have been picked for Orange's MobilCom unit and the two companies were also selected for Wind SpA in Italy. Phone companies have already spent $90bn purchasing 3G licenses and, according to analysts, will spend a further $100bn building networks to service high-speed wireless phones.