Vodacom Tanzania has awarded a five-year managed services contract to Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN). The Finnish vendor will manage, operate and maintain Vodacom’s GSM/HSDPA network to reduce operating costs, save energy and offer competitive tariffs to customers. NSN will take over the existing Network Management Centre and operations across radio, transmission and core networks, as well as network planning and optimisation.

Vodacom Tanzania is transforming its network operations to improve performance and service quality for its nine million subscribers. Under 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. In addition, the vendor will provide its energy solutions enriched with Managed Energy Services* to reduce Vodacom’s energy consumption, improving efficiency.

“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.”

“We look forward to integrating Vodacom Tanzania operations team into our global services team. We are excited about the synergies and opportunities that will be created as we begin to work together,” added Almeida.

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 well 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 also benefit from increased savings in operating costs by applying Nokia Siemens Network’s architecture design skills, and its proven managed service capabilities, such as first line maintenance and remote service delivery for site energy management. As part of the deal, Nokia Siemens Networks will also 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 well 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

Vodacom Tanzania Limited is Tanzania’s leading cellular network offering state-of-the-art GSM communication services to more than 9 million customers across the country. Vodacom Tanzania is a subsidiary company of Vodacom Group (Pty) Limited, South Africa.
Vodacom Tanzania has deployed state-of-the-art technology, 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