Wireless Federation

MTN extends managed services contract with Ericsson (Africa, Sweden)

On 01.30.12, In Mobile, By Editor

South-Africa based mobile telecommunications company MTN has extended its managed services contract with Sweden’s Ericsson for its Ghana operations. According to company reports, the contract was originally signed between the two companies in 2009 for the roll-out of MTN’s 3G network in Ghana. As per the agreement, MTN will retain full ownership of the network and responsibility for its strategic direction, while Ericsson will manage the network operations, optimization and field maintenance for MTN’s 3G sites.

Jon Hoffmann, Chief Technical officer, MTN Ghana said that their first two years together achieved the results they were hoping for: they could focus on subscriber growth, and Ericsson delivered network reliability and efficiencies.

Valter D Avino, Head of Managed Services, Ericsson, has said that MTN and Ericsson collaborate in many areas across this and other regions for several years now and in Ghana they are especially pleased to have been part of the journey towards 10 million subscribers. With Ericsson continuing to run the operations of the network, MTN will be able to dedicate even more time and focus on delivering innovative products and services relevant to the needs of their customers.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • Africa • Ericsson • Ghana • Managed services contract • MTN • Sweden

Bharti Airtel signs managed services contract with Ericsson (India, Sweden)

On 11.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Bharti Airtel, a dominant player in the global telecommunications market, has reportedly expanded the managed services contract with Ericsson for its India operations. Company reports indicate that Ericsson will operate, maintain and provide services across 70 percent of Bharti Airtel’s network in India, as part of this five year managed services agreement.

Further, it has been reported that Ericsson will also be responsible for the Intelligent Network that manages Airtel’s prepaid customer base, keeping in line with Airtel’s commitment to take user experience in wireless communications to the next level. Sources claim that the operator will extend the contract across fifteen circles for five years.

According to reports, Sanjay Kapoor, CEO, India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel, has said that with India emerging as the third largest internet market and a multi-fold growth in data traffic on the back of a rising number of smartphones, wireless networks need to be ready for the data revolution that has only just begun. This unique multi-technology Managed Services partnership with Ericsson will help them focus on creating a compelling service proposition for their customers, as they look to ramp up their market access for next generation services on 3G and 4G.

The fifteen circles that are covered in the partnership consist of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, UP(W), UP(E), Rajasthan, North Eastern states, Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chennai and Kerala.

Further, Fredrik Jejdling, President and India region-head, Ericsson, claims that the rapid increase in customer numbers and the network complexities due to multiple technology overlays defines the need for a renewed focus on differentiated user experience. As more and more people are joining the Networked Society, in which everybody and everything is connected it is imperative that they continue to provide high-quality, innovative services to the end users.

As per the contract, Ericsson will reportedly work towards ensuring effective management of operational expenditure and maximizing the efficiencies of scale along with improving the overall quality of the network in these circles.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 4G • Bharti Airtel • CEO Sanjay Kapoor • Ericsson • India • Managed services contract

Nokia Siemens Networks announces 17,000 job cuts (Europe)

On 11.25.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecommunications firm, Nokia Siemens Networks, has reportedly announced 17,000 job cuts across the world in an attempt to narrow the gap with market leader Ericsson.

According to reports, the Finland based company has said that the reduction, equivalent to about 22 percent of its workforce, will be completed by the end of 2013, when Nokia Siemens aims to cut $1.3 billion in annual operating expenses and production costs. Further, Nokia Siemens will focus on mobile broadband and services and plans to divest or manage for value units that aren’t central to its focus.

As per sources, the company plans to simplify its organization, consolidate sites and functions, and strip out more jobs from the integration of Motorola Solutions Inc. units acquired this year. Further, Jozefa Terloo, spokeswoman, Nokia Siemens has said that they haven’t yet decided how many jobs will be cut per country. She reportedly added that negotiations with worker representatives will start immediately.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Ericsson • Finland • Motorola Solutions Inc. • Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) • Oman

Zain signs network outsourcing deal with Ericsson (Middle East)

On 11.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Zain, a leading telecom operator in the Middle East, has reportedly signed a network outsourcing deal with Sweden based Ericsson worth $650 million, in an attempt to improve the quality of its network.

According to reports, under the five year deal, Ericsson will manage Zain Iraq’s mobile network and IT operations and is the next step towards the operator launching third generation (3G) services. Further, Zain has reportedly said that the agreement covers Zain Iraq’s 3,700 network sites, including the Kurdish north where the operator recently launched commercial services, and will enable it to reduce operating costs and bring products and services to market quicker.

The operator claims that this agreement is a significant deal for Zain as it is expected to enhance the company’s competitiveness in the Iraqi market.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • Ericsson • Iraq • Network Outsourcing • Sweden • Zain

Bharti Airtel goes green with Ericsson (Africa)

On 11.17.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecommunications operator Bharti Airtel has reportedly signed an agreement with Sweden based Ericsson to upgrade its diesel powered stations in Nigeria with E-site, a new green energy solution. According to reports, Manoj Kohli, CEO and joint Managing Director, Bharti Airtel, has said that the new E-site solution would enable Airtel to harness solar energy to power mobile base stations across Nigeria.

He added that they are happy to take the lead in deploying and rolling out state-of-the-art green power solutions and reducing dependency on diesel. Further, this latest initiative will not only enable Airtel to significantly reduce operating costs but also contribute to the reduction in the greenhouse effect.

As per sources, the E-site solution developed by Flexenclosure, has been tested for two years in Kenya helping them in reducing the diesel consumption and emissions of the diesel powered sites. Further, the E-site is said to use renewable sources of energy including wind turbines.

Reports reveal that Lars Linden, President (sub-Saharan Africa) Ericsson, has said that they are driving the implementation of this innovative solution in support of sustainability and development of the networked society. The new green and highly cost efficient base station solution makes not only environmental sense but also financial sense for their customers, enabling the efficient deployment of services to previously un-served or underserved areas.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Bharti Airtel • E-site • Ericsson • Flexenclosure • Kenya • Lars Linden • Manoj Kohli • Niger • Nigeria • Sweden

Ericsson seeks to increase revenues through patents (Sweden)

On 11.10.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Sweden based Ericsson, the world’s leading mobile telecommunications equipment vendor, is reportedly planning to increase revenues from its 27,000 patents as devices from toys to energy meters get wireless access, as said by CEO, Hans Vestberg.

According to reports, Vestberg claims that by 2015 two thirds of all consumer electronics devices will have some sort of connectivity and any company or manufacturer that wants to get in there will require an agreement with Ericsson. The firm currently has the industry’s largest portfolio of wireless communication patents and believes that increased revenue from rights would help smooth out fluctuations in network orders.

As per sources, Vestberg has said that the intellectual property covers basically everything in the telecom industry, including the world’s largest collection of WiFi patents. Sources reveal that revenue from patents went up from $ 368 in 2006 to $847 in 2010. Vestberg also said that if they are going to get 50 billion connected devices in 2020 it’s not only going to be handsets. He added that it is not going to be practical for them to make bilateral negotiations with all the manufacturers, and that they need new business models and need to work in groups.

Vestberg claims that the connected devices may include shipping containers that transmit their position and interior temperature, as well as appliances that are hooked into a network. He also revealed Ericsson’s plans to get royalties from intellectual property in areas it hasn’t monetized before, such as Web search and optical transmissions.

As per sources, Ericsson had entered into a transaction along with other companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Sony in July to buy 6,000 patents from Nortel Networks Corp for $ 4.5 billion. Vestberg reportedly said that this transaction was important for Ericsson as it didn’t have a deal covering those patents.

According to reports, industry analysts have valued Ericsson’s patents at $ 15.5 billion, on the basis of Google’s agreement to buy Motorola Mobility Holdings for $ 12.5 billion. Vestberg has said that the company has more than 90 licensing deals for its core technologies with handset companies and infrastructure producers. He added that they are not looking to sell patents but to receive recurrent revenue.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • Ericsson • Hans Vestberg • Microsoft • Motorola • Patents • Sony • Sweden

Sony to buy out Ericsson’s stake in Sony Ericsson for US$ 1.46 billion (Japan, Sweden)

On 10.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Sony has reportedly announced that it will acquire Ericsson’s stake of 50 percent in mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson for $1.46 billion. Consequently, Sony Ericsson will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony and will be integrated into the company’s platform of network-connected consumer electronics products.

As per sources, Hans Vestberg, CEO, Ericsson said that when the joint venture was formed ten years ago, thereby combining Sony’s consumer products knowledge with Ericsson’s telecommunication technology expertise, it was a perfect match to drive the development of feature phones. However, today they take an equally logical step as Sony acquires their stake in Sony Ericsson and makes it a part of its broad range of consumer devices.

Sony President, Chairman, and CEO, Howard Stringer has reportedly said that this acquisition makes sense for Sony and Ericsson, and it will make the difference for consumers, who want to connect with content wherever they are, whenever they want. Further, Ericsson reportedly plans to focus on the global wireless market as a whole as well as how wireless connectivity can benefit people, business and society beyond just phones. The agreement, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in January 2012. According to reports, the transaction also includes a patent deal enabling Sony to receive the five sets of patents that are essential to making the phones and a licensing agreement on any other intellectual property.

Reports suggest that shares in Ericsson rose by 5.1 percent to $10.7, while Sony’s share price rose 5.4 percent to $21.7 at the time of closing.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Ericsson • Hans Vestberg • Howard Stringer • Japan • Sony • Sweden

Open Mobile may be the first to launch 4G LTE services in Latin America

On 10.28.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Puerto Rican network operator, Open Mobile, is reportedly planning to launch 4G LTE mobile broadband services in Latin America along with Sweden based Ericsson, a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to mobile and fixed network operators globally. As per reports, Neville Cruz, CTO, Open Mobile said that the companies have worked closely to rapidly build a high-quality 4G LTE network and that the LTE rollout would continue in metropolitan areas during the remainder of 2011 and early 2012.

Sources claim that Frank Bell, President, Open Mobile has said that being at the forefront of broadband evolution means that the customers in Puerto Rico will be the first in Latin America to benefit from this groundbreaking technology. He added that having an experienced partner in LTE deployment like Ericsson is a key step towards bringing their customers the fastest mobile broadband network. Industry sources reveal that of the many networks aiming to launch LTE services in Latin America, US-based AT&T and Mexican-based Claro have been targeting Puerto Rico for the launch of their services by early 2012.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 4G LTE • Ericsson • Frank Bell • Latin America • Neville Cruz • Open Mobile • Puerto Rico • Sweden

Djibouti Telecom partners with Ericsson (Africa)

On 09.26.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Djibouti Telecom (DT) has entered into a partnership with Sweden based Ericsson in order to introduce 3G network in the country. With this deal, DT plans to introduce mobile broadband services, advanced roaming capabilities and automatic device configuration (ADC), which is a complete solution for automatic mobile device management within Djibouti Telecom’s mobile network.

According to reports, Abdourahman Mohamed Hassan, CEO of DT said that they have grown rapidly as a company and in order to maintain the momentum and build on it they have chosen Ericsson as a partner to assist them in improving their services. He also added that they are proud to be the first to bring 3G connectivity and mobile broadband services to the country and with the help of Ericsson’s technology and capabilities they can ensure that this will significantly enhance the experience for their customers.

Carlo Alloni, President, Ericsson North East Africa, has reportedly said that Djibouti has quickly established itself as a hub that connects East Africa with major telecommunications hubs in Europe, the USA, Asia and the Middle East, and Ericsson is hoping to contribute to the telecommunications industry and improved services being offered in the country. The companies say their partnership will ensure that subscribers’ services are upgraded and that DT is able to offer customers a wider range of telecommunications services benefiting both business and society.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 3G • Africa • Djibouti • Djibouti Telecom • Ericsson • Sweden • USA

LIME to modernize mobile network in 12 Caribbean territories

On 09.13.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

LIME, Caribbean’s leading communications company, plans to modernize its mobile network in 12 different territories in the Caribbean which will be facilitated by Ericsson. The Sweden based firm will deploy its latest core network and multi-standard radio base stations RBS 6000, enhancing the capabilities of LIME’s network. This state-of-the-art technology will benefit users in 12 Caribbean territories, with particular benefits for smartphone users.

The network modernization will enable all the LIME customers across the region to enjoy fast and seamless connections on their smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Further, people traveling to the islands for business or on holiday will also benefit from the latest mobile broadband services and fast internet access they would expect from any metropolitan network.

According to reports, LIME’s CEO, David Shaw, said that an important part of their mandate is to ensure that the Caribbean is served by the most modern telecoms technology available and that their consumer, enterprise and carrier customers have access to world-class services. He added that Ericsson will vastly improve their mobile network and give their customers the exceptional experience they deserve. The new Ericsson technology will also reduce their energy consumption, which will have a positive impact on the environment.

Martin Roos, Head of Ericsson in the Caribbean, has reportedly said that they are pleased to become LIME’s main supplier for mobile broadband in the Caribbean. With the latest technology from Ericsson, LIME will be able to roll out new advanced services and join the smartphone global boom. With IP-centric network architecture, LIME will have the ability to respond to the fast-changing business models seen today.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: Caribbean • CWC • Ericsson • Lime • Sweden