Siemens Communications Mobile Networks announced it has signed a deal with MTC- Vodafone (Bahrain) to provide the design, development, training and deployment for the second phase of its Universal Mobile Telecommunications Standard (UMTS) third generation (3G) mobile network in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The new deal, which will help MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) enhance its existing 3G network to cater for more customers and higher Internet speeds. This expansion will provide customers better quality voice and video transmission, and positions the regionally expanding operator as the Middle East's communications leader. In November 2003, MTC Vodafone - in partnership with Siemens Communications - made history when it made the first test call on the third generation network for the Middle East.
"Despite being the first company in the region to offer customer 3G services, MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) is yet again raising its standards even higher to offer customers the best possible service," said Khaled Al Farkh, Chief Operating Officer, MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain).
"To accelerate our competitiveness in the market, we made a strategic choice to work with a partner that shares the same values. Together with Siemens Communications, we firmly believe we will maintain our technological leadership , providing our customers with access to the most advanced network offering the highest quality of voice and video transmission," said Al Farkh.
In partnership with Siemens Communications, MTC Vodafone will expand its existing UMTS Network. Siemens UMTS Core network products include both circuit & packet switch components and are market leaders both in terms of reliability and feature richness. Siemens will also provide UMTS radio network coverage near the new Formula One district. The network upgrade positions MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) as the first in line to be ready to deploy HSDPA technology.
Siemens Communications is a major player in the global UMTS network provision. Throughout Europe, the company has won the majority of the contracts for which it has tendered since 2001. Siemens Communications introduced 3G to the Middle East in response to the growing mobility of people in the region and the increased demand for sophisticated communication, regardless of location.
"While others in the market are in the inception phase, Siemens Communications with MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) is already at the stage where we are enhancing the experience for the UMTS user," said Soenke Peters, head of Siemens Communications Mobile Networks Middle East headquarters. "With this deal moving ahead now, MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) is perfectly placed to prepare for HSDPA - this will ensure its competitive edge in the market."
UMTS enables customers to tap into the enormous resource offered by the Internet and makes communication more visually attractive and faster, with features such as multimedia messaging, video streaming (e.g. downloading movies from the Internet to a mobile phone), video conferencing, games and shopping.
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Siemens Communications
Siemens Communications is one of the largest players in the global telecommunications industry. Siemens is the only provider in the market that offers its customers a full-range portfolio, from devices for end users to complex network infrastructures for enterprises and carriers as well as related services. Siemens Communications is the world's innovation leader in convergent technologies, products and services for wireless, fixed and enterprise networks. It is the largest Group within Siemens and operates in more than 160 countries around the world. In fiscal 2003 (year-end September 30), its 60,000-strong workforce posted sales of about 17 billion euros.
More about Siemens Communications at http://www.siemens.com/communications
MTC - Vodafone (Bahrain)
MTC-Vodafone comes as a result of a Network Partner Agreement between the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), a GCC regional company, borne in Kuwait and Vodafone, a global company based in the UK. MTC-Vodafone, having been as chosen by Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to develop the 2nd GSM service, launched its services on December 28th, 2003.
Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) was founded in 1983 and is perhaps one of the oldest mobile service providers in the world. MTC has a reputation for pioneering new services in the Middle East and constantly seeks to forge partnerships with key global companies to bring the best products and services to the region. MTC is considered to be a very successful, customer focused and ambitious company and has aspirations that fit with the Vodafone strategy for global customer services.
Alternatively, please contact:
Hala Suleiman
PR Manager
MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain)
Tel: +973 36031074,
Fax: +97336031994
E-mail: pr@mtc-vodafone.com.bh
Christiane Salem
ASDA'A
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East and North Africa
Mobile: +973 36301367
e-mail: c.salem@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2005
