Bahrain: Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Cisco Systems today announced that MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) has deployed Cisco IP Communications infrastructure to develop and grow its services in the kingdom's recently deregulated wireless marketplace. MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) turned to Cisco Systems to design and implement its end-to-end IP Communications services network, taking advantage of technology expertise to rapidly establish the foundations for its entry into Bahrain. The solution portfolio deployed delivers an IP Communications infrastructure with advanced security, telephony, and mobility feature sets.

'Our vision is to move MTC from a single entity to a global player in the telecoms sector. The first landmark for this project is to provide services to a customer base of more than 5 million by 2005,' said Khalid Al Farkh, Chief Operating Officer at MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain). 'To achieve our ambitions we required a supplier that we could count on, and who would help us develop our objectives and business in the long term. Cisco Systems has provided the services and solutions that have helped put MTC-Vodafone on the map in Bahrain.'

The short implementation period has helped enable MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) put itself in a strong competitive position by speeding time to launch the brand and its services to consumers. The intelligent Cisco network infrastructure helps ensure that MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) has the networking platform to maintain a leadership position in service delivery and to grow the number and sophistication of its services efficiently, and without disruption over time.

'Mobility is more than just technology, it stems from a natural need from consumers and businesses to be operationally profitable and productive. Mobile Operators today are better positioned to transform into Mobile Service Providers of the future, delivering non-stop, seamless services across several integrated and inter-connected networks,' said Sam Alkharrat, Service Provider Regional Manager for Cisco Systems Middle East, 'Cisco is helping to speed this transformation by offering value propositions to new and existing Mobile operators, such as MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain). This is driven by a well established IP Communications strategy and made up of a full portfolio of solutions.'

MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) has deployed a core infrastructure for its GSM network, which supports Internet Protocol (IP) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology. By managing packets of data using IP/MPLS, MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) is now able to manage quality of service and to differentiate its service offering as business and consumer demands change. Cisco's solution provides a flexible and scalable network that will help allow MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) to expand both to meet consumer demand and global standards in mobile service provision.

'Our ability to execute is empowered by strong local and global channel partners and systems integrators. Our solutions are designed to help enable mobile operators to reduce operating expenditure and serve as the platform for IP-based services, which translates into a competitive advantage for the operator,' Sam Alkharrat concluded.

Products deployed as part of this solution include Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switches with integrated firewalls, content and intrusion detection technology, Cisco 7200 Series Routers, Cisco IP telephony and IP Contact Center solutions, Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN access points and Cisco Optical ONS 15454 Multiservice Provisioning Platform,. The project was managed and implemented by Cisco's strategic implementation partner, International Turnkey Systems (ITS).

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© Press Release 2005