Leading telecom operator in Saudi Arabia Mobily again commissioned Nokia Networks for managing its network operations for five years

New deal to ensure smooth operation and maintenance of Mobily’s multi-vendor, multi-technology networks, and expansion of 2G, 3G and LTE networks

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 6-11-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — Mobily (Etihad Etisalat Company), a leading telecom operator in Saudi Arabia, has once again commissioned Nokia Networks for managing its network operations for five years. In addition, Nokia Networks will expand the operator’s 2G, 3G, and 4G (TD LTE, FDD LTE) mobile broadband networks, becoming the main radio network supplier for the operator. These projects will ensure further improved voice and data services for Mobily’s customers.

Nokia Networks has been a managed services partner to Mobily for the last three years. This second managed services contract also covers the central region that has been served by other vendors until now, expanding its managed services footprint in Mobily. With the network expansion deal, Nokia Networks also expands its radio footprint, providing TD-LTE radio technologies in the central region.

“Our top priority is ensuring the best possible customer experience even when our network becomes more and more complex due to multiplicity of network layers, especially when providing data services,” said Khaled Alkaf, CEO, Mobily. “To achieve this, Nokia Networks became the natural choice for outsourcing our network operations, and we renewed the contract for five more years. In addition, its radio technology will help us expand our network capacity to provide further improved voice and data services for our customers. Nokia Networks’ proven products and services have helped us boost our network and service performance at an optimal cost of ownership and reduced carbon footprint in the past.”

“Our global best practices in managed services will help Mobily completely focus on its core business without bothering anything about running its multi-technology, multi-vendor networks,” said Igor Leprince, Executive Vice President, Global Services, Nokia Networks. “With our advanced technologies and service excellence, Mobily will be able to achieve world-class network quality and operational efficiency, and consolidate its strong position in a highly competitive market. Also our radio technologies will help the operator simplify its network architecture and reduce costs.”

As part of the deal, Nokia’s managed services capabilities such as network optimization, operations and maintenance services will be provided to Mobily. The network expansion contract covers the companies Single RAN Advanced platform featuring its Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station for 2G, 3G and LTE. In addition, Nokia’s NetAct network management system will be deployed to monitor, manage and optimize Mobily’s networks. Nokia’s systems integration, network implementation, care services, and competence development services also form part of the services scope for the network expansion program.

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About Mobily
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) was established in 2004 by a consortium led by Etisalat, the UAE based telecom conglomerate. Mobily is the official brand name of Etihad Etisalat, renowned as the second mobile service provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The awarded 25-Year telecommunication mobile license was complemented by a subsequent purchase of a 3G license. Mobily is the 1st Saudi communications company to get an operation license for 3rd generation services and beyond. In December 2004, Mobily was listed on Tadawul Stock Exchange. Today, Mobily equates to 40%+ market share of the mobile subscriptions in the Kingdom. In March 2008, Mobily was granted approval by CITC (Communication and Information Technology Commission) to acquire Bayanat al-Oula which was a licensed Data Service Provider for a price of SAR 1.5 Billion. And, in November 2008, Mobily acquired absolute majority stakes in Zajil, the leading Saudi ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Mobily owns vast majority shares in the Saudi National Fiber Network (SNFN) composed with 12,800 KM of structured fiber cable, panned into 7 fully protected rings covering 35 Saudi cities plus access to 60 major hub sites for telecommunications prime points of presence, and complimented with 20 inter-metropolis fiber loops in major Saudi cities. Furthermore, Mobily is a lead investor in prime global submarine cable projects that are expected to be operational in the near future.http://www.mobily.com.sa/

About Nokia
Nokia invests in technologies important in a world where billions of devices are connected. We are focused on three businesses: network infrastructure software, hardware and services, which we offer through Nokia Networks; location intelligence, which we provide through HERE; and advanced technology development and licensing, which we pursue through Nokia Technologies. Each of these businesses is a leader in its respective field.

Nokia Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.www.nsn.com // http://company.nokia.com

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E-maiil: h.alghobaini@mobily.com.sa