Vodacom Tanzania outsources network operations

* First of its kind combined network and energy management outsourcing * Deal aims to reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, save energy and offer competitive tariffs to its customers

Vodacom Tanzania is transforming its network operations to improve performance and service quality for its nine million subscribers. In accordance with a five-year managed services contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will use it strong presence in eastern Africa to manage, operate and maintain Vodacom's network to reduce operating costs. To boot, the vendor will provide its energy solutions enriched with Managed Energy Services* to reduce Vodacom's energy consumption, improving efficiency.

World-class customer experience

"We are committed to providing a world-class customer experience," said Dietlof Mare, managing director, Vodacom Tanzania. "We trust Nokia Siemens Networks with one of our most vital assets, our network, to help us realize greater network and operational efficiency. The deal will help us consolidate our strong position in a highly competitive market."

"This agreement is a key milestone in our engagement with Vodacom and shows our strong commitment to operators in Africa," said Armando Almeida, head of Global Services, Nokia Siemens Networks. "We will apply the experience we've gained in other emerging markets with our global best practice in network operations to help Vodacom achieve world-class network quality and operational efficiency. Our aim is to allow Vodacom to focus on its core business and deliver greater value to its shareholders."

The managed services contract

Under the managed services contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide full network operations for Vodacom Tanzania. The vendor will take over complete responsibility for the existing Network Management Center and operations across the radio, transmission and core networks, as then as network planning and optimization. As part of the agreement, 124 Vodacom Tanzania employees will transfer to Nokia Siemens Networks.

As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will deploy 338 hybrid energy solution sites to help Vodacom Tanzania enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy cost. The operator will as well benefit from increased savings in operating costs by applying Nokia Siemens Network's architecture design skills, and its proven managed service capabilities, just as first line maintenance and remote service delivery for site energy management. As part of the deal, Nokia Siemens Networks will as well implement remote management of energy with its green energy control service designed to ensure optimal use of field resources. It includes monitoring of all energy sources as then as corrective and preventive site maintenance.

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading managed services provider with 300 managed services contracts globally, supporting 490 million subscribers. About Vodacom Tanzania

The country

Vodacom Tanzania Limited is Tanzania's leading cellular network offering state-of-the-art GSM communication services to more than 9 million clients across the country. Vodacom Tanzania is a subsidiary company of Vodacom Group Limited, South Africa.

Vodacom Tanzania has deployed state-of-the-art research, thereby enhancing its product portfolio and positioning itself as the market leader for any communication solution. For voice, data, leased lines, PABX connectivity, international connectivity, WiMAX solutions, remote communication solutions over satellite or banking solutions, Vodacom Tanzania addresses the need. About Nokia Siemens Networks

Leading global enabler of telecommunications services

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on technology and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network research, as then as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com