Nokia Wins USD 230 Million Managed Services Deal With Vodafone Australia

ESPOO, Finland, November 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nokia and Vodafone Australia have signed a USD 230 million, seven-year managed services agreement that includes engineering, operations and maintenance of Vodafone's HSDPA, 3G, GPRS and GSM networks.

As part of the arrangement, Nokia will be responsible for managing Vodafone Australia's ongoing network operations covering HSDPA, 3G, GSM and core networks infrastructure including the detailed design, engineering, optimization operations as well as network management, monitoring, fieldwork and maintenance services for the networks.

"Outsourcing the management of the networks to Nokia makes good business sense for Vodafone Australia. It delivers cost efficiencies and, at the same time, allows us to control the quality and technical direction of our networks so that we can deliver the best and most advanced technology available to Australian customers," said Russell Hewitt, CEO, Vodafone Australia.

"We are pleased to be helping Vodafone meet their competitive challenges," said Simon Beresford-Wylie, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Nokia. "The skills of the Vodafone team and the operational expertise of Nokia Networks, gained from running networks for many operators around the world, make a powerful combination and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."

As part of the managed services agreement, Vodafone Australia will transfer related employees and contractors into the Services business unit of Nokia Networks.

Nokia has been working with Vodafone Australia since May 2004, and the new deal extends Nokia's current WCDMA 3G network infrastructure relationship with the operator. Nokia also provides the WCDMA 3G network for Vodafone New Zealand and is currently supporting the 3G broadband (HSDPA) rollout for Vodafone in Australia and New Zealand.

With Nokia's proven track record in managing networks on behalf of operators around the world, it is able to support operators to enhance their service offerings and reduce costs. Nokia is a major player in the managed services business with close to 60 managed services contracts globally. In WCDMA 3G, Nokia has 63 customers to date.

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile telecommunications group with equity interests in 27 countries across 5 continents with 186.8 million proportionate customers worldwide as at 30 June 2006 as well as 33 partners. In Australia, the company provides quality services to 3.47 million customers.

(c) Vodafone Pty Limited 2006: VODAFONE and the Vodafone logos are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.

About Nokia

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.

http://www.nokia.com/