Tele2 partners with Nokia Siemens for 4G network (Sweden)
Tele2 customers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will soon enjoy superior mobile broadband with faster data speeds and improved coverage. Nokia Siemens Networks has been selected as the sole supplier of the operator’s 4G, LTE (long term evolution) radio and core network. In addition, the company will modernize and expand Tele2’s GSM and 3G networks. The 4G deployment and network modernization will be enabled using Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single RAN (radio access network) and Liquid Core technology.
Niklas Sonkin, Central Europe and Eurasia market area director, Tele2, said that they wanted to further improve the coverage and quality of mobile services for their customers by expanding and upgrading their existing networks to the latest technology. In addition, with increased adoption of smart devices and demand for high speed data services, they want to build LTE networks in the Baltics. Nokia Siemens Networks’ advanced radio and core platforms will ensure reliable network connections and high speed mobile broadband services for customers. With the company’s Single RAN, they will soon be able to launch LTE services, efficiently utilizing different frequency bands.
Armando Almeida, head of Europe and Africa customers at Nokia Siemens Networks, said that it is critical for operators such as Tele2 to upgrade their existing networks with future proof technologies to save equipment and operational costs today and tomorrow. Further, their flexible, scalable, energy-efficient radio access network is capable of supporting the current and future network capacity needs of Tele2. Their Liquid Core platform will help Tele2 intelligently manage its network traffic in real time and provide the best user experience across the three countries.
Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is providing Tele2 with its advanced radio and core network elements to modernize and expand its networks, and build high speed LTE network in the Baltics. As part of its radio network, the company is providing its compact, award-winning Flexi Multiradio Base Stations, multi controller radio network controllers (mcRNC) and multi controller base station controllers (mc BSC).
As part of its core network, the company is providing its voice core network elements including its Liquid Core based open Mobile Switching Centre Server (MSS) and open Media Gateway (MGW). In addition, the company is providing its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) platform, including Flexi NS (network server), Flexi NG (network gateway) and Liquid Core based SGSN (serving GPRS support node.
Nokia Siemens Networks is also providing its network management system, NetAct to efficiently monitor, optimize and configure the operator’s network. The company is also supplying its subscriber data management (SDM) solution, including One-NDS real-time subscriber data repository and data-less Home Location Register, to consolidate the operators’ subscriber data from across their networks. In addition, the company is providing its planning, optimization, implementation and care services for a smooth upgrade and expansion of Tele2’s networks.
TOT selects NSN to upgrade to HSPA+ for faster speed, better service (Thailand)
TOT, Thailand’s state-owned telecom operator, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its 3G network to HSPA+. This upgrade will improve mobile broadband services for the 7.2 million TOT customers and increase download speeds to even 42 megabits per second (Mbps) compared to the current 7.2 Mbps. The upgrade will be ready by April 2012.
Monchai Noosong, acting president at TOT, said that the Thai mobile market is extremely competitive, so they always need to ensure they are well ahead of the curve. With demand for data skyrocketing and operators looking to venture into the 3G space, they knew this was the right time to upgrade their 3G network. Nokia Siemens Networks has helped them scale up quickly enabling them to ride the mobile broadband wave sweeping the country. In addition, the company’s solution ensures an easy migration to LTE once that becomes topical for them.
Krittika Mahattanakul, head of Asia North, Asia Pacific region at Nokia Siemens Networks, said that as smartphones become more common also in Thailand and people start using data heavy applications on them, it is important that the mobile broadband networks can manage the capacity needs and provide enjoyable customer experience. Also, TOT is ensuring this by upgrading its network to HSPA+ early on.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ all-IP ready HSPA+ solution is based on the Dual Carrier HSDPA technology, Flexi Multiradio Base Station and the 3G Radio Network Multicontroller (RNC).The company will also deploy its Liquid Core’s COTS ATCA-based Open Mobile Switching Server (MSS), which together with the Flexi Multiradio Base Station enables a smooth transition to LTE.
The TOT network, including GSM and 3G, will be monitored and optimized by the Nokia Siemens Networks NetAct network management system. Nokia Siemens Networks will also provide its Location Based Services solution enabling TOT to offer Value Added Services (VAS), such as localized advertising.
Nokia Siemens Networks will provide TOT network planning, implementation and optimization services, as well as services for operations support and training.
StarHub selects Nokia Siemens Networks for 4G, GSM modernization (Singapore)
StarHub, the second largest mobile operator in Singapore, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks as its LTE (4G) mobile broadband infrastructure and services vendor. In order to meet the fast growing demand for smartphone data services, the operator will refarm its 1800MHz GSM band to carry LTE services.
The first phase of StarHub’s LTE network is expected to go live by the end of 2012, covering key business areas such as the Singapore Changi Airport, Marina Bay, Suntec, and Shenton Way. As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will also modernise StarHub’s GSM network, helping the operator reduce power consumption generated by network equipment by up to 50 percent. The efficient use of resources is in line with StarHub’s commitment to act in an environmentally responsible manner throughout its operations.
Neil Montefiore, chief executive officer at StarHub said that they are constantly looking at ways to provide their subscribers the greatest mobile broadband experience, and Nokia Siemens Networks has the best solutions for it. With the launch of LTE, they will be able to increase their data capacity and offer improved speeds. They have also been looking to modernize their GSM network for some time and with the Nokia Siemens Networks Single RAN platform, they’ll be able to do that efficiently while building the LTE network.
Paul Tyler, head of Asia Pacific region at Nokia Siemens Networks, with spectrum being a scarce resource, it needs to be optimally utilised. The increasing use of smartphones and data hungry applications is putting a huge pressure on existing spectrum making refarming a viable option for operators. By allocating existing GSM spectrum to LTE, StarHub can cost-efficiently offer 4G mobile broadband services to its customers.
Nokia Siemens Networks will provide StarHub its Single RAN platform, built around the compact, energy efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station, which will enable StarHub to run GSM and LTE concurrently on the 1800 MHz band. The company will also provide its Evolved Packet Core platform including Flexi NS (Network Server) and Flexi NG (Network Gateway). In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide software for personalized customer experience management, including Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and One-NDS subscriber data management (SDM).
Nokia Siemens Networks will also upgrade its NetAct network management system to enable a consolidated and effective monitoring, management and optimisation of StarHub’s LTE and GSM networks. Support services from Nokia Siemens Networks include network implementation, consulting for PCRF, and full set of hardware and software care services including spare part management, emergency support, software maintenance and third-party software support.
NSN factory employees go on strike (India)
In an attempt to protest the firing of 50 employees recently, a spokesperson for Nokia Siemens Networks has claimed that its employees at a plant in India have gone on an indefinite strike, as reported by ET.
As per the report, E Muthukumar, president, Nokia Siemens Networks India Employees Association, said that on April 4, the company sacked 52 employees without any prior notice and proper reasons. They also initiated inquiry against these employees. He said that about 260 permanent employees went on an indefinite strike after the company failed to reinstate the sacked employees.
However, in a statement, Satendra Singh, the company’s head of manufacturing operations, India, said that the production operations at Oragadam facility (South India) are running normally. They have offered their colleagues an opportunity to have an open dialogue to understand the employees’ concerns in a manner that is mutually conducive and rational in approach. They continue to treat all their employees with utmost respect and appreciation as they have in the past.
Nokia Siemens Networks expands Saudi 4G network (Saudi Arabia)
Subscribers of Saudi Telecom Company (STC) can expect a new generation of mobile broadband services with super-fast speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). The operator has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its nationwide GSM and 3G networks and expand its commercial 4G (TD-LTE: time division duplex long term evolution) network. Nokia Siemens Networks is now responsible for building one-third of STC’s nationwide 4G network. STC announced the launch of its commercial 4G network using TD-LTE equipment from Nokia Siemens Networks in September 2011.
Zeyad Thamer Al-Otaibi, STC Group chief executive officer for Technical Operations, has said that STC and Nokia Siemens Networks have enjoyed a long-standing, strategic relationship that has gone from strength to strength over the years. The latest round of network expansion and modernization provides a further boost to the partnership and will help deliver a differentiated experience to customers.
Bandar Mohammed Al Qafari, vice president Network Sector at STC KSA, says that user experience with 4G is much more enhanced and satisfactory as compared to traditional mobile broadband technologies. For instance, not only is there a noticeable increase in speed, but end users also get to enjoy new, multimedia applications and services. With more and more subscribers using bandwidth-intensive applications for smart phones and USB dongles, they needed to modernize their existing GSM and 3G networks, while rapidly launching 4G services. This is exactly what Nokia Siemens Networks offered- excellent technology coupled with a smooth services roll-out.
As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is modernizing STC’s GSM and 3G networks to its award winning Single RAN (radio access network) platform based on the compact, energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station. The company is deploying its 4G radio network infrastructure across 2,500 STC sites over the next two years. Nokia Siemens Networks is also providing its FlexiPacket Microwave transport platform, which is a common transport medium for STC’s GSM, 3G and 4G networks with on-air speed of up to 400 Mbps.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ Self-Organizing Networks (SON) suite, part of the company’s Liquid Radio, enables straightforward plug-and-play 4G base station rollout. This results in operational and capital cost savings, while also improving customer experience by ensuring 4G base stations always deliver their peak performance.
Bernard Najm, country head for KSA at Nokia Siemens Networks, has said that this contract reiterates their commitment to further the adoption of 4G technology globally. STC is their long-standing partner and they are delighted to bring 4G services to its subscribers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Their expertise in 4G technology and strong services support helped STC deliver on its plans to modernize its nationwide network and roll out 4G services faster.
As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is also upgrading its NetAct network management system to enable effective monitoring, management and operation of STC’s GSM, 3G and 4G networks. In addition, the company is providing services such as network implementation with project management capabilities for rapid and efficient network roll-out. It is also providing care services that include hardware, software maintenance and competence development. Nokia Siemens Networks already operates and optimizes STC’s GSM and 3G radio networks as part of a separate managed services contract.
Airtel appoints Nokia Siemens Networks to manage 4G network (India, Finland)
Leading telecom operator in India, Bharti Airtel, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to build and operate its TD-LTE (time division duplex long term evolution) network in Maharashtra, one of the country’s largest telecom circles. TD-LTE is a 4G mobile broadband technology that delivers instant internet access and can support video streaming and high-definition video conferencing. The launch of commercial TD-LTE services later this year will offer Bharti Airtel subscribers in Maharashtra a much improved experience when using bandwidth-intensive applications, with more consistent network coverage and faster response times.
Bharti Airtel will deploy its TD-LTE network in the 2.3 GHz frequency band allocated by the Indian government for broadband wireless access technologies.
Sanjay Kapoor, CEO Bharti Airtel (India & South Asia) said that in the next five years, data will be the main thrust in India, riding on the waves of 3G or 4G technologies. As per industry estimates, mobile data traffic in the country will increase nearly 100-fold by 2015 and consumers will stream nearly 600 hours of video content – every second, thus paving way for the ensuing data revolution. LTE provides ultra high speed data access, in conjunction with 3G, this will lead the data revolution and drive fundamental changes in individual lifestyles, businesses and the society at large. He added that they look forward to the advent of 4G technology which will be launched in India at the same time, as the rest of the world.
Being part of India’s large-scale 4G commercial rollout, Nokia Siemens Networks will deliver the TD-LTE network and end-user data devices that can provide data speeds of upto 100 megabits per second (Mbps) as specified by 3GPP. The company will use its newly introduced and industry’s first TD-LTE 6 pipes radio. This integrated solution considerably reduces site space and the operator’s total cost of ownership per site compared to the traditional approach of using one remote radio head per sector. Nokia Siemens Networks is widely deploying this TD-LTE solution to commercial customers in Russia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ NetAct operations support system will enable effective and consolidated monitoring, management and optimization of Bharti Airtel’s GSM and TD-LTE networks. Nokia Siemens Networks will provide network design, integration, commissioning and optimization services to the operator for rapid roll-out of the network and full set of care services including hardware, software and competence development services. It will use its Global Network Solutions Center at Noida, India that is already supporting TD-LTE networks globally, to remotely deliver services for improved efficiency and network performance.
Ashish Chowdhary, head of Customer Operations Asia and Middle East at Nokia Siemens Networks, has said that from networks to devices, Nokia Siemens Networks offers a full range of LTE solutions. He added that as Bharti Airtel’s long-standing partner, they are glad to be chosen for the launch of 4G services. With their expertise and focus on mobile broadband, they hope to assist the operator in taking mobile broadband experience to a completely new level for its customers.
T-Mobile and Orange partner with Nokia Siemens to improve network coverage (Poland)
Mobile operators, T-Mobile Poland and Orange Poland have partnered with Nokia Siemens Networks as one of the vendors to deploy and upgrade their GSM and HSPA networks, enable radio network sharing and prepare them for Long Term Evolution (LTE).
According to company reports, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide its Single RAN (radio access network) platform and related services to improve the network performance, reduce costs and make the shared network LTE-ready.
Milan Zika, director of the technology and networks division and Board Member, T-Mobile Poland has said that they are focused on delivering high-quality services and introducing the latest technologies in Poland. The network upgrade and development will significantly improve the performance and quality of the shared infrastructure, which will be the largest in the country, to provide an optimum end-user experience. Further, in Nokia Siemens Networks, they have a partner with a global experience of network sharing deployments and this will ensure a speedy roll-out for them.
As per the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single RAN platform, based on the compact, energy efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Stations, will replace a large part of the existing GSM and HSPA radio access sites. The platform will also allow a percentage of the existing sites to be re-used, thereby lowering costs while protecting investments. In future, it will enable a smooth transition to LTE through a simple software upgrade.
Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems Product Management, Nokia Siemens Networks claims that so far, no operator has undertaken a multiradio RAN sharing initiative of such a broad scope and they are excited to be part of this implementation. Their Single RAN platform will not only enable the operators to adopt new technologies at a rapid pace and use different spectrum bands efficiently but also reduce the cost of delivering high-quality voice and mobile broadband to end-users.
Airtel renews managed services contract with Nokia (Africa, India)
Leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel, has extended its managed services contract with Nokia Siemens Networks for an additional five years. According to company reports, the contract covers Airtel’s network in eight circles consisting of Bihar and Jharkhand; Kolkata; Gujarat; Maharashtra and Goa; Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh; Mumbai; Orissa and West Bengal.
Under this five-year managed services contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will manage and maintain Bharti Airtel’s 3G and GSM networks as well as iWAN (internet Wireless Access Network), the operator’s enterprise broadband service. This next phase of managed services relationship will help Bharti Airtel achieve better network efficiency, simplify operations and deliver better quality services.
Sanjay Kapoor, CEO, India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel has said that India started its journey of transformation from voice to data with the deployment of 3G.The data story in the country has just begun and they will witness increasing complexity due to multiplicity of network layers specifically when serving data. It is imperative for any service provider to have a complete end-to-end view to manage voice and data services. This initiative is in line with their strategy to create ubiquitous networks for offering enriched customer experience. Nokia Siemens Networks has been their long standing managed services partner and they are happy to continue their association further.
Ashish Chowdhary, head of customer operations Asia and Middle East, Nokia Siemens Networks said this deal will allow Bharti to simplify processes and improve end-to-end network and service performance. More importantly, stringent key performance indicators ensure they’re helping Bharti Airtel deliver an enhanced subscriber experience.
Vodafone Egypt to offer customers personalized mobile services (Egypt)
Telecommunications provider Vodafone Egypt is upgrading its One-NDS platform provided by Nokia Siemens Networks in a bid to offer users personalized mobile services thereby enhancing customer experience. According to company reports, Tony Dolton, Chief Technical Officer, Vodafone Egypt has said that with a fast growing emerging market, characterized by increased uptake of smartphones and tablets, subscribers are looking for more, highly personalized services. He added that staying competitive demands introduction of new features and services at a faster pace. Further, with its simplified architecture and high resilience, Nokia Siemens Networks’ One-NDS platform will enable them to do just that.
As per sources, Sharaf El-Din Mohamed, head of the Vodafone Egypt customer team at Nokia Siemens Networks claims that this implementation will provide the base for a more efficient and flexible management of subscriber data. He added that the project will help the operator to analyze current market segments, while improving subscriber loyalty.
