Airtel one of the major network providers in the country is set to undertake a network transformation program in its mobile operations. The network provider has awarded a three-year contract to Ericsson.The program involves the upgrade and expansion of network elements on Airtel’s Nigeria operations, including switching, radio, network management, data, charging, and consumer-services platforms and systems and also modernize and expand its packet core network. This transformation, in which Ericsson is a partner, will deploy the latest wireless technologies, that would enhance Airtel’s network capacity and robustness and help deliver best-in-class services to customers at affordable rates. This also makes Airtel’s networks ready for next generation services that include high speed data and value added services.
Airtel’s Commitment to Nigerian Market.
Awadhesh Kalia, a senior official in Airtel Nigeria says:
“As the Smartphone Network, we are constantly investing to ensure that we deliver on our promise of a seamless broadband experience for our customers. With the completion of this project, subscribers will begin to see transformation in our networks.”
Currently, Airtel has 24% of the market share in Nigeria. The network operates in 17 African nations which has Nigeria as its largest market on the continent.
Airtel hopes to control a sizable market share in Nigeria – a country of about 170 million people despite – its security and power challenges to doing business successfully. According to the Airtel official,
”The customer is at the core of everything we do at Airtel. The implementation of this transformation program will enable us to further enrich our customer experience across the region. It allows us to provide Airtel subscribers with the best network possible while meeting the growing usage of mobile data.”
The Choice of Ericsson
Ericsson has over 12,000 consulting and systems integration professionals across the world, over 100 Ericsson resources will work onsite to ensure successful delivery of this project – the largest network modernization program in Africa’s telecom history. Ericsson’s systems integration organisation according to the statement, delivers more than 1,500 systems integration projects per year in multi-vendor and multiple-technology environments. Projects range from single-solution integrations to end-to-end solution transformation projects such as this one.
“Our long-standing relationship with Ericsson gave us confidence in their ability to manage and deliver such a large and complex project.”
Head Ericsson South and East Africa Jonathan Adams reiterated its company commitment to deploying a reliable and future-proof suite of solutions.
“As a longstanding partner, we are aware of Airtel’s unyielding commitment to delivering excellent services to their customers. Through this partnership, we will be deploying a comprehensive, reliable and future-proof suite of solutions that offers quicker time to market of new offerings and superior network performance.” He said.
Reported by: Fikayo Owoeye