PHOTO
Zain Iraq extends 2011 managed services agreement with Ericsson for three years until end of 2019
Network transformation deal to enhance Zain Iraq's 3G network, and upgrade wireless network and IT operations
Zain Iraq's customers will experience higher capacity and faster network performance
Zain Iraq and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) have today announced an extension of their managed services deal, which would otherwise have ended in 2016, for three additional years to the end of 2019. The partnership was initially forged in 2011 as part of Zain Iraq's ambition to deliver a differentiated mobile experience and a high-quality network.
Under the agreement, Ericsson is tasked with optimizing and managing Zain Iraq's IT operations and mobile network, which currently consists of more than 4,000 sites across the country.
Both companies also entered into a network transformation agreement to upgrade Zain Iraq's network from 2G to 3G, thereby providing users with better coverage, higher connection speeds and increased voice quality. Zain Iraq's 3G network became operational in January.
Zain customers will reap many benefits from the deal, such as high and faster data capacity resulting in an enhanced user experience, with high quality service maintained.
Dr Haidar Radi, Chief Technology Officer & Deputy CEO of Zain Iraq, says: "Zain Iraq has long placed customer satisfaction at the core of our brand ethos. Our renewed collaboration with Ericsson will help further our mission to deliver an exceptional, hassle-free customer experience. Our network with the support of Ericsson promises to meet our customers' hefty data requirements and maintain the highest standards of service excellence."
Rafiah Ibrahim, Head of Region Middle East and North East Africa Ericsson, says: "This renewed collaboration is a testimony of the trust and high performance that Ericsson has delivered to Zain Iraq through the years in managed services across the North Middle East region. We are pleased to once more collaborate with Zain in the transformation of their network, which will further enhance Zain's services capabilities, customer perception as well as realizing Ericsson's Networked Society vision in Iraq."
-Ends-
About Zain Iraq
Zain Iraq is the leading mobile operator in the country serving 13.8 million customers at the end of 2014. It is part of the Zain Group, a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 44.3 million active customers as of 31 December, 2014. With a commercial presence in 8 countries, Zain operates in: Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan. In Lebanon, the Group manages 'touch' on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain has a 15.5% stake in 'INWI', through a joint venture. Zain is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (stock ticker: ZAIN).For more, please email info@zain.com or visit: www.zain.com; www.facebook.com/zain; www.twitter.com/zain; www.youtube.com/zain; www.instagram.com/zaingroup; www.linkedin.com/company/zain
Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society - a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, businesses and societies to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.
Our services, software and infrastructure - especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud - are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.
With more than 110,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions - and our customers - stay in front.
Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2013 were SEK 227.4 billion (USD 34.9 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.
www.ericsson.com
www.ericsson.com/news
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress
www.facebook.com/ericsson
www.youtube.com/ericsson
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com
Ericsson Investor Relations
Phone: +46 10 719 00 00
E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com
© Press Release 2015
