Ericsson further strengthens its industry leadership in managed services by signing a contract with Maxis Communications Berhad, Malaysia's largest mobile operator. Under the agreement, Ericsson will operate Maxis' 3G network for a period of 18 months, after which the operation of the network will be transferred to Maxis.
With this contract, Maxis becomes the first operator in Asia that employs a managed services solution for its 3G (WCDMA) network, while managing its own 2G network.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for extensive and continuous knowledge transfer in 3G operations, including competence training in other locations where Ericsson is involved in similar operations. Ericsson will also provide network-consulting services to develop service level agreements and key performance indicators.
"This agreement with Maxis reinforces Ericsson's position as the industry leader in managed services," said Kristian Tear, President of Ericsson South East Asia and Country Manager of Ericsson Malaysia. "We are proud that Maxis has selected Ericsson as its managed services partner for network operations. Our partnership goes back to October 2003, when we became Maxis' first infrastructure partner for the design, deployment and integration of their 3G network, as well as a key partner for their 2G network."
"Indeed, Maxis is making a lot of effort to address and pre-empt the issues that typically have been associated with 3G launches elsewhere," he added.
"The coming months will be critical for Maxis as we prepare to launch its 3G services," said Edward Ying, Maxis Chief Operating Officer. "We are working towards achieving a smooth launch and ensuring that our customers experience the marked superiority of 3G services. Ericsson was chosen for its established track record and experience in 3G networks, being a supplier to 35 out of 56 operators who have launched commercial WCDMA services, and managing networks that together serve over 35 million subscribers worldwide."
This is Ericsson's second managed services contract with Maxis. The first was for Ericsson's mobile music portal, M-USE, the platform for Maxis' mobile music services offered under myMaxis, which is hosted, integrated and managed by Ericsson.
Ericsson has the telecom industry's most comprehensive managed services offerings, covering management of day-to-day operations of a customer's network and can also include managed capacity for efficient network build out wherever and whenever needed, as well as hosting of applications and content management. As the undisputed industry leader in managed services, Ericsson has officially announced well over 40 managed services contracts with operators worldwide since 2002. In all current managed services contracts, excluding hosting, Ericsson is managing networks that together serve over 35 million subscribers worldwide.
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.
Read more at www.ericsson.com/press
For further information, please contact
Åse Lindskog, Head of Media Relations, Group Function Communication
Ericsson
Phone: +46 8 719 9725
E-mail: ase.lindskog@ericsson.com
About Maxis Communications Berhad
Maxis, Malaysia's premier telecommunications company and market leader with 41% share, provides high quality voice and data services to more than 6 million customers. Its mobile postpaid and prepaid services are offered under the maxis and Hotlink brands respectively. The company has achieved its leading position through a clear strategy of developing premium brands, providing quality network and customer services and introducing innovative services and products. In support of its mobile business, Maxis also operates an international portal as well as a domestic fixed line network, which offers voice and data services to business customers. Its broadband infrastructure includes wireless, fibre optic, microwave and VSAT technologies. For more information on Maxis, please visit our corporate website at www.maxis.com.my
