Indian Firm Outsources Network Management

India's GSM network operator, Bharti has signed a three-year contract of Managed Services, network infrastructure and rollout with Ericsson. The contract is valued at approximately US$400 million and includes operating and optimizing Bharti's GSM/GPRS network. Ericsson will continuously deliver equipment and services based on Bharti's capacity requirements, improving efficiency by eliminating overlap and duplication of roles between the two companies as well as securing cost-efficient roll-out and operation of on-demand capacity.

"This agreement is an indicator of Bharti's innovative approach to this fast changing market and takes our long relationship with Bharti to the next level," says Hans Vestberg, Senior Vice President business unit Global Services, Ericsson. "We are honored to be chosen to support Bharti's rapid growth and provide coverage when and where Bharti needs it. The contract with Bharti reconfirms our position as the clear telecom leader."

"The agreement is set to redefine the telecom landscape in the country and help us contribute towards a robust telecom infrastructure overall," said Mr. Akhil Gupta, Joint Managing Director, Bharti Tele- Ventures Ltd. "Telecom is a core infrastructure area and an initiative of this kind will enable us to focus on our core areas while also simultaneously allowing us the benefits of a world class network, managed and monitored by the specialists."

Under the agreement approximately 250 of Bharti's technical experts will be taken over by Ericsson India."

Posted to the site on 10th February 2004