Vodafone Hutchison Australia appoints Nokia Siemens Networks in Major Network Boost

Aims to streamline operations with seven-year agreement.

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA), the country�s fastest growing mobile operator*, is outsourcing its overall network operations and a key part of its equipment supply to Nokia Siemens Networks. The seven-year agreement aims to improve services for its 7 million customers and deliver operational efficiencies. The contract includes service management for a number of key parts of VHA�s mobile network (core, transmission, and radio networks) and equipment supply for its core network.

�This is a significant step towards delivering an improved network experience for our customers and realising important cost efficiencies following the merger,� said Nigel Dews, CEO VHA.

�We are delighted to be appointed by VHA to operate and manage network services end-to-end and to deliver an integrated core network,� added Kalevi Kostiainen, head of Australia and New Zealand, Nokia Siemens Networks. �With our global expertise in managed services we are confident that we can further improve VHA�s overall network operations and services to its customers.�

In a unique, full scope managed transformation, Nokia Siemens Networks will combine two existing operations organisations and consolidate two core networks. The end-to-end approach to VHA�s business includes domains such as valued added services, business support systems, and network operations. Nokia Siemens Networks will manage a number of VHA�s third-party providers.

Nokia Siemens Networks will provide its Flexi Network Gateway (Flexi NG) packet core platform to boost network capacity to efficiently handle the growing demand for high speed mobile data services from smart devices. The Flexi NG offers optimally balanced and highly scalable throughput and signaling capacity with integrated service awareness.

As part of the consolidation, Nokia Siemens Networks will expand the mobile softswitch (MSS) and home location register (HLR) � enabling VHA to evolve towards a single database for all its subscriber information.

�Simplifying our core networks and streamlining our overall network management is key to delivering a superior customer experience while achieving greater operational efficiencies,� said Andy Reeves, chief technology officer at VHA.
About Vodafone Hutchison Australia

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) is a 50/50 joint venture between Vodafone Australia and Hutchison 3G Australia. VHA markets its products and services under the Vodafone and 3 brands in Australia. VHA has 6.895 million active customers at 31 December 2009.