NEC supplies MegaFon with advanced ultra-compact microwave radio system

Moscow, Russia & Tokyo, Japan - September 21, 2015 - NEC Corporation (TSE: NEC 6701) announced today that its subsidiary, CJSC NEC Neva Communications Systems (NEC Neva), has supplied its iPASOLINK EX microwave radio system  featuring the addition of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI), for the Siberian branch of PJSC MegaFon. This is NEC's first commercial deployment of this new technology in Russia.

iPASOLINK EX systems with CPRI interfaces operate in a lightly-licensed frequency range of 71 to 86GHz and are capable of providing data transmission speeds up to 3Gb/s. MegaFon is using iPASOLINK with CPRI interfaces on its LTE network for the first time. NEC is also scheduled to deliver iPASOLINK EX for the Far East branch of MegaFon by the end of 2015, all of which will help MegaFon to accelerate the deployment of 3G and LTE networks.

iPASOLINK EX is an all-outdoor compact radio unit with E-band microwave spectrum, providing high network capacities and low licensing costs in comparison with other radio solutions. Thanks to the CPRI interface, the system can also be used to transmit wireless traffic in the cloud RAN (C-RAN). Therefore, it is possible to virtualize data processing that provides dynamic redistribution of network resources as well as contributes to lower expenditure on infrastructure support, particularly for rental and electric power costs.

"The first iPASOLINK EX with CPRI interface systems were successfully deployed and tested on the MegaFon network in Novosibirsk. We are confident that the open interface of new stations will help us accelerate LTE network construction, especially in conditions of dense city structures, where it is often difficult to bring a cable and to provide connections with fixed base stations," said Alexander Saltanov, Director on Infrastructure of Siberian branch, PJSC MegaFon.

"We are honored that MegaFon chose iPASOLINK EX for their LTE network," said Akihiro Sakurai, Managing Director, CJSC NEC Neva Communications Systems. "iPASOLINK EX is supporting ultra-high speed cloud RAN fronthaul up to 3Gbps. We consider this agreement as a recognition of iPASOLINK EX's superior technology and will continue to support MegaFon with our exceptional technologies."

About NEC Neva Communications Systems
CJSC "NEC Neva Communications Systems" was established in May 1997 as a local factory of NEC's digital switching system and provides engineering, system integration and professional services. NEC has owned 100 per cent of its shares since Autumn 2009.