Africell chooses Nokia Siemens Networks to modernize its core network in Sierra Leone and Gambia

Sierra Leone, West Africa’s first service provider to deploy mobile softswitching solution to enhance network capacity and efficiency

After the excellent success of expanding the Africell radio and core mobile network done by Nokia Siemens Networks, Africell- the leading telecommunications service provider in Gambia and Sierra Leone- is to deploy Nokia Siemens Networks’ state–of-the art 3GPP mobile softswitching solution. This solution allows Africell to reduce operating expenses instantly, while accelerating the deployment of new services to mobile subscribers.

"The development of our core network is crucial to Africell’s future success as our call traffic continues to increase. Implementing Nokia Siemens Networks 3GPP Release 4 architecture will improve our overall network capacity in order to optimize the network resources providing state of-the-art services to our customers.” Said Ziad Dalloul, CEO for Lintel Group*.

With market share of 67% in Gambia and 45% in Sierra Leone, Africell is deploying Nokia Siemens Networks softswitching solution in order to meet subscriber’s growing demand and contribute to the networks’ efficiency.

“We are pleased to have met Africell’s demand for a powerful and cost-effective solution deploy in their network,” said Michael Maltusch, Head of Customer Team for Nokia Siemens Networks. "We look forward to a continued partnership with Africell in Sierra Leone and Gambia, providing world class technology while bringing significant cost savings and a clear evolution in next generation networks.”

Nokia Siemens Networks is the market leader in mobile softswitching in GSM and WCDMA networks and the most experienced supplier in mobile softswitching worldwide, with more than 200 customers and over 150 live networks. With up to 70% savings in OPEX compared to traditional mobile switching solutions, Nokia Siemens Networks’ mobile softswitching solution contributes significantly to network efficiency and with over 40% reductions in power consumption per subscriber it makes a positive environmental impact.

*About Lintel group

The Lintel group of companies is engaged in the provision of GSM telecommunications services in West Africa since 2001. The group provides capital, management advice, marketing and partnering support, as well as other services. Africell Holding, Africell Gambia, Africell Sierra Leone, Africell RDC (Congo DRC), and Linfra are among its subsidiaries.

About Africell Sierra Leone

Africell Sierra Leone has achieved the first position in terms of market share in a record time and facing multinational operators. Plans are underway to achieve the country’s widest coverage footprint by the First quarter of 2009. Africell Sierra Leone was awarded the very prestigious AWOL (All Walks Of life) Telecoms company of the year award for 2008.
The secret recipe behind this success was a strategy of aggressive marketing and network roll-out. Aside from the growth in the subscriber base, Africell Sierra Leone major success was in winning the hearts and minds of the people in a record time and to become an inherent part of the Sierra Leonean society thought a very active social agenda.
www.africell.sl

About Africell Gambia

Africell Gambia has held the first positioning in terms of market share since2006 and has consolidated this positioning since with a large spread. This positioning was done through an aggressive and consistent marketing effort that is well adapted to the country’s social settings in a way that Africell has become the nation’s trend setter.

Africell Gambia has won for two consecutive years (2006 and 2007) the GCCI (Gambia Chamber Of Commerce) award for Best Service provider and is also nominated for 2008; that in addition to many other awards including Best Customer Service.
www.africell.gm

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland.
www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

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