Nokia said in a statement that it has signed a GSM expansion contract with Yunnan Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. (Yunnan MCC) in China. The contract, valued at approximately 63 million US dollars, further strengthens Nokia's leading position in GSM networks and mobile softswitch systems deployment in the China area. Under the agreement, Nokia supplies Yunnan MCC with GSM/GPRS radio and core network, including the Nokia MetroSite base stations, Nokia MSC Server mobile softswitch and Nokia Media Gateway in the Yunnan Province in the Southwest China. Nokia will also provide services including network planning, implementation and other support services. Deliveries have started and the network will be operational in November. With the Nokia MSC Server mobile softswitch, Yunnan MCC will be able to provide its customers new services, such as Multi-SIM service, which will help Yunnan MCC to generate more revenue and improve its customer retention. Nokia has been the main supplier of Yunnan MCC for GSM/GPRS core and radio network since 1996.