India’s Bharti Airtel expanded its managed services agreement with Ericsson for its India operations. The telecommunications company operates in 19 countries across Asia and Africa.
Under the five-year, multi-vendor, multi-technology agreement Ericsson will operate, maintain and provide services across 70% of Airtel’s network in India.
“In addition to the standard portfolio of managed services, Ericsson will also take responsibility for the intelligent network that manages Bharti Airtel’s prepaid customer base. The initiative is in line with Airtel’s commitment to ushering in the next level of user experience on wireless communications. Bharti Airtel will expand and extend contract across 15 circles for 5 years,” Ericsson said in a statement.
The 15 telecom circles include, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, UP(W), UP(E), Rajasthan, North Eastern states, Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chennai and Kerala.
“With India emerging as the third largest internet market and a multi-fold growth in data traffic on the back of a rising number of smartphones, wireless networks need to be ready for the data revolution that has only just begun. This unique multi-technology managed services partnership with Ericsson will help us focus on creating a compelling service proposition for our customers, as we look to ramp up our market access for next generation services on 3G and 4G,” Airtel’s CEO (India and South Asia), Sanjay Kapoor said.
“The rapid increase in customer numbers, and the network complexities due to multiple technology overlays defines the need for a renewed focus on differentiated user experience. As more and more people are joining the networked society, in which everybody and everything is connected it is imperative that we continue to provide high-quality, innovative services to the end users,” Ericsson India’s head, Fredrik Jejdling, said.
Ericsson will also ensure effective management of operational expenditure and maximize efficiencies of scale while undertaking to improve the overall quality of the network in these circles.
The full suite of managed services will be rendered through a global network operation center and field operation activities spread throughout the country. The evolved managed services now incorporate the tools Ericsson gained from its recent acquisitions of Optimi and Telcordia.
