Orange to Outsource 3G Mobile Network Operations
Orange to Outsource 3G Mobile Network Operations
19th March, 2009
Europe : Orange is outsourcing its mobile network operations in the UK to Nokia Siemens Networks. Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will manage, plan, expand, optimize and provide maintenance services for the Orange UK 2G/3G mobile network for the next five years. The deal aims to deliver improved quality of service and enhanced coverage for Orange UK’s 15.9 million mobile subscribers, while driving operational efficiency.
Nokia Siemens Networks is also finalizing arrangements for a UK sub-contractor to provide first line maintenance services. As part of the mobile network operations outsourcing, close to 470 staff are planned to transfer from Orange UK with approximately 230 joining Nokia Siemens Networks and the remainder being transferred to a first line maintenance sub-contractor.
“Nokia Siemens Networks has a proven global expertise in managing large, multi-technology networks, and our partnership with the company is a win-win for all involved – Orange UK, our customers and our employees,” said Pete Marsden, VP of IT & Networks for Orange, UK. “Nokia Siemens Networks will provide our transferring employees with strong career paths within global organizations recognised as telecommunications industry leaders.”
In order to deliver the quality of service needed by Orange, Nokia Siemens Networks will take over responsibility for network operations. This includes the full range of 2G/3G network operations including network planning and optimization, spare parts management and providing turnkey network rollout services. Orange will continue to own and strategically plan its network.
“This contract strengthens the close co-operation between Orange UK and Nokia Siemens Networks, building upon our long term partnership with France Telecom. It reiterates the value that Managed Services brings our customers – helping them run their business more effectively and efficiently and allowing them to focus on their end-users,” said Rajeev Suri, Head of Services, at Nokia Siemens Networks. “More specifically, it strengthens our leadership in the Managed Services domain, allowing us to provide our employees with opportunities across our growing customer base and portfolio.”
Nokia Siemens Networks is a market leader with more than 200 Managed Services contracts in mobile and fixed networks globally, connecting more than 190 million subscribers on customer networks. Nokia Siemens Networks holds the number 1 or 2 position in managed services in most major markets: Latin America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the North East and West-South-Europe region.