KT selects Nokia Siemens Networks for LTE deployment | Nokia Siemens Networks

KT selects Nokia Siemens Networks for LTE deployment | Nokia Siemens Networks:

KT has selected Nokia Siemens Networks as one of its LTE (4G) mobile broadband infrastructure and services vendors. The operator plans to meet the fast growing demand for mobile broadband and smartphone data services by re-farming its 1.8GHz band. This will allow KT to offer its subscribers a superior, 4G, mobile broadband experience by mid 2012.

According to KT: “We are happy to partner with Nokia Siemens Networks and are confident of the company’s mobile broadband capabilities and extended support services. Nokia Siemens Networks’ enhanced focus on mobile broadband will certainly help us deliver superior customer experience with the launch of LTE services.”

Nokia Siemens Networks is providing its 1.8GHz LTE radio equipment including its award-winning Flexi Multiradio Base Stations. The company is also providing services including network integration and commissioning. Nokia Siemens Networks’ NetAct operations support system will enable effective monitoring, management and optimization of KT’s LTE network.

“Re-use of spectrum has become all the more vital due to its limited availability and the increasing use of smartphones and rich applications,” said Paul Tyler, head of Asia Pacific region at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Spectrum re-farming is emerging as a viable option for operators looking to better allocate existing spectrum cost efficiently and provide next-generation LTE services that offer a better customer experience.”

Bharti Airtel extends managed services with Nokia Siemens Networks for further five years | Nokia Siemens Networks

Bharti Airtel extends managed services with Nokia Siemens Networks for further five years | Nokia Siemens Networks:

Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks as its managed services partner in eight circles of the country - 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.

Nokia Siemens Networks is already a managed services partner to Bharti Airtel in these eight circles. These services specifically support Nokia Siemens Networks’ installed base of mobile broadband equipment for the operator. Nokia Siemens Networks’ products and services have helped the operator boost network and service performance at an optimal cost of ownership and reduced carbon footprint.

Using its global service delivery model, Nokia Siemens Networks will also provide network optimization, operations and maintenance services remotely from its Global Network Solutions Center (GNSC) in Noida, India.

Sanjay Kapoor, CEO, India and South Asia at Bharti Airtel said, “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 we 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 our strategy to create ubiquitous networks for offering enriched customer experience. Nokia Siemens Networks has been our long standing managed services partner and we are happy to continue our association further.”

“Bharti Airtel was looking for a single managed services partner with multi-vendor capabilities, and Nokia Siemens Networks meets all the requirements perfectly. This deal will allow Bharti to simplify processes and improve end-to-end network and service performance,” added Ashish Chowdhary, head of customer operations Asia and Middle East at Nokia Siemens Networks. “More importantly, stringent key performance indicators ensure we’re helping Bharti Airtel deliver an enhanced subscriber experience.”

Nokia Siemens Networks today has more than 360 managed services contracts globally with 180 operators serving close to 700 million subscribers. The new contract with Bharti Airtel allows the company to bring the benefits of its global scale, best practices and innovation to bear, further optimizing the operator’s network operations.

Optus appoints Kevin Russell Chief Operating Officer

Optus appoints Chief Operating Officer

Optus today announced the appointment of Kevin Russell to the role of Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect.

Mr Russell, who was most recently Chief Executive of mobile operator Hutchison Three in the United Kingdom, is an experienced Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer with both international as well as Australian experience.

In the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, Mr Russell will be responsible for the day to day operations of the mass market segments of Optus’ business as well as the Wholesale and Satellite division. As such he will be responsible for the Optus Consumer, Optus Small and Medium Business, and the Optus Wholesale and Satellite businesses as well as Optus’ wholly owned subsidiary, Virgin Mobile. Mr Russell will report to Optus Chief Executive, Paul O’Sullivan.

“We are proud of our track record as Australia’s leading investor in telecommunications competition and our success as a market innovator. Kevin’s experience and this appointment will strengthen our ability to take full advantage of the opportunities emerging in our market. His track record in the industry speaks for itself and I am delighted to welcome him to the Optus team,” Optus Chief Executive, Paul O’Sullivan said.

Kevin Russell, Optus Chief Operating Officer said, “I’m returning to Australia at a very exciting time in the telecoms industry with the roll-out of 4G and the National Broadband Network both gathering pace. I’m looking forward to working with Paul and the Optus team to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Mr Russell will be a member of Optus’ senior leadership team and will be based in Sydney. Prior to taking up this position, Mr Russell spent sixteen years working for the Hutchison Whampoa Group in a variety of senior leadership roles. He spent the last five years in the United Kingdom as Chief Operating Officer and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Three UK, where he was responsible for leading the turnaround of the business.

Before joining Hutchison Three UK, Mr Russell was Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Telecoms Australia where he led the roll-out of Australia’s first 3G network and the launch of 3G services. Previous roles included Chief Financial Officer at Partner Communications in Israel and Director of Finance for Hutchison Telecom International.