MegaFon customers to enjoy enhanced mobile services | Nokia Siemens Networks

MegaFon customers to enjoy enhanced mobile services | Nokia Siemens Networks:

Operator selects Nokia Siemens Networks to improve network performance, energy efficiency and prepare for LTE

Customers of MegaFon in Moscow will soon enjoy new services, faster, more reliable connections and improved coverage with better network performance. The leading operator in Russia has selected Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single RAN (radio access network) platform to modernize its GSM network in the Moscow region. This platform will improve network performance, energy efficiency, and reduce capital and operating costs for MegaFon. In addition, the multi-technology platform paves the way for a smooth transition to Long Term Evolution (LTE) providing 4G services.

“We wanted to further improve the quality of service for our customers with the existing network. We also wanted to make our network LTE-ready, so that we will be able to launch ultra-fast mobile broadband services cost efficiently in the near future,” said Andrey Kurdanov, director of MegaFon - Moscow branch. “We found Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single Radio Access Network platform fulfilling all these requirements. In addition, the company’s multi-band platform will allow us to roll out LTE services, efficiently utilizing different frequency bands. This will help us position ourselves as an innovation leader in the country.”

“Constantly improving the quality of experience by providing improved speed, network coverage and new data-intensive services is very important for operators such as MegaFon. What is equally important is doing so cost effectively with flexible, scalable, energy-efficient radio access network,” said Alexey Podryabinnikov, head of customer team MegaFon at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our radio access platform allows more data to travel faster, and is future proof to help MegaFon get the most out of its investments today and tomorrow.”

Under the modernization contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide its Single RAN platform based on its award-winning, compact, energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station*. This platform will replace MegaFon’s existing radio access platforms, including UltraSite, MetroSite and Flexi EDGE base stations from Nokia Siemens Networks. This multi-technology platform is able to run GSM, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and LTE, and can be defined to roll out a particular technology with a simple software update.

Expanding Partner Markets to Drive International Growth - Vodafone

Expanding Partner Markets to Drive International Growth - Vodafone:

Expanding Partner Markets to Drive International Growth

09 January 2012

12 Partner Market agreements in six months extend international reach of Vodafone brand

SFR relationship fully operational

New partner market relationship established in French Polynesia

Vodafone today marked the tenth anniversary of its Partner Markets division by unveiling plans to further expand its international presence through mobile operator relationships across the widest possible geographic footprint.

In the last six months alone, Vodafone has established or renewed agreements with 12 companies including SFR and members of the Conexus Mobile Alliance in the Asia-Pacific region. Vodafone Partner Markets now intends to further expand into Asia and South America in 2012 and beyond to meet the growing demand among multinational businesses for sophisticated voice and data communications solutions as well as advanced roaming services.

Separately, Vodafone also announced that its partner market relationship with SFR in France is fully operational and unveiled a new strategic partnership with Pacific Mobile Telecom of French Polynesia, extending the Vodafone brand to one of the most remote territories in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vodafone Partner Markets CEO Ravinder Takkar said: “Over the past ten years, Vodafone has entered into partnerships with mobile operators in more than 40 markets. These strategic relationships are good for partners and good for customers. They offer the best of Vodafone's scale and global expertise combined with our partners' market knowledge and experience. Our Partner Markets division has grown rapidly in recent years, and we look forward to further expansion into emerging markets.”

Vodafone and SFR entered into a Partner Market agreement in June 2011 after the sale of Vodafone’s 44% stake in SFR to Vivendi. The two companies will also jointly source and deploy a full range of products and services targeted at enterprise markets.

SFR Business Team CEO Pierre Barnabé said: “This is the extension of the long-standing partnership with Vodafone. Together, we will manage the global requirements of French multinational companies at a time when effective communications are becoming ever more important in determining business success.”

Tahiti-based Pacific Mobile Telecom is a new start-up operator which will now adopt the Vodafone global brand as it establishes a new 3G network in French Polynesia - a market which until now has had only one incumbent telecommunications company.

Pacific Mobile Telecom President Albert Moux said: “With dedicated support from Vodafone, we plan an aggressive network rollout and intend to be fully operational within one year. As the in-country challenger, we believe that rapid growth can be achieved with a high-quality network, attractive retail offers and excellent products and services, all underpinned by the Vodafone brand.”

Vodafone Partner Markets are a series of strategic alliances between Vodafone Group and local mobile network operators which Vodafone does not own. The agreements offer Vodafone customers simple and reliable connectivity when roaming internationally, with consistent and familiar access to Vodafone services worldwide. Partner Markets agreements vary from full Vodafone branding arrangements under licence through to product branding, roaming and service resale agreements.