Bharti Airtel, a global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa, recently signed a five-year managed services agreement with Ericsson for its Africa operations. Ericsson will manage and optimise Airtels mobile networks in Africa in order to provide a superior customer experience
Under a separate two year agreement, Ericsson will modernise and upgrade Airtel's mobile networks in Africa with the latest technology including its multi standard RBS 6000 base station. Ericsson will deploy this superior 2G and HSPA 3G technology to ensure that Airtel's customers have an enhanced voice and data experience. As part of the modernization, Ericsson will also provide technology consulting, network planning & design and network deployment.
Manoj Kohli, CEO (International) & Joint Managing Director, Bharti Airtel said, "Ericsson has been our managed services and network technology partner in the Asian operations. Given its expertise and strong track record we are confident that this partnership will be able to efficiently deliver the best networks and services to our customers in Africa. The new generation equipment from Ericsson will help reduce our total cost of ownership of the networks."
Ericsson's first multi-country Managed Services deal in Africa will enable Airtel focus on its core operations of innovating and launching new products, services and mobile applications for over 44mn customers across the continent.
Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, says, "Ericsson is the industry leader in managed services, managing networks for operators worldwide that serve more than 800mn subscribers. This deal will allow us to assist Airtel with the complex task of managing operations in multiple countries. It also provides an opportunity for us to extend our managed services into new, untapped African markets."
