Europe : Lucent
Technologies announced an extension to the network analysis and optimization
service it has been delivering for T-Mobile International, focused
on improving the end-to-end performance of T-Mobile International's
UMTS networks in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and the United
Kingdom. These services will also include T-Mobile's 3G HSDPA networks
when they become operational.
To deliver the project,
consultants and specialists from Lucent's services division will measure
multiple Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for voice and data services,
such as network coverage, data throughput, call setup, and dropped
call rates. Network performance data is collected through extensive
drive tests and interface measurements. As part of the engagement,
Lucent specialist engineers will analyze and evaluate the measured
data, using state-of-the-art tools and techniques, to provide optimization
guidance to T-Mobile. The initial project began in October 2004, and
the contract expansion will continue these services into 2006.
Since August 2005, the
extended project has involved conducting competitive benchmarking
tests in the four countries to compare the quality of voice and data
services of all commercial UMTS networks. This gives T-Mobile International
an exact overview of the quality of its own network and of those of
its competitors.
"The UMTS network
tests that we have contracted to Lucent are further proof of our deep
commitment to network quality," said Heinz Schmid, executive
vice president, responsible for radio access network quality at T-Mobile.
"Every day our engineers are working to provide our customers
with the best possible prerequisites for mobile voice and data communication
in top quality."
"T-Mobile's selection
of Lucent for analyzing and optimizing its UMTS networks is further
proof that Lucent has the experience and the expertise to support
multivendor networks," said Uwe Klingebiel, vice president, Lucent
Worldwide Services, EMEA. "Our independent evaluation of network
and services with respect to voice and data quality in T-Mobile's
UMTS networks is laying the foundation for further improvements."
More than 15 European network
operators are relying on the optimization of their GSM, GPRS and UMTS
networks to Lucent Worldwide Services' professional services team.
In addition, Lucent services has analyzed the network quality for
over 190 million mobile subscribers in Europe, over half of the European
subscriber base, according to Pyramid Research.