ERICSSON SSA

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Transforming society for the better through mobility

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Leading Transformation through

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Mobility Globally-renowned for its technology offering, Ericsson continues to be one step ahead when it comes to the latest communication tech-related products Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Ben Weaver

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providing equipment, software and services to enable transformation through mobility,” says the company.

Some 40 percent of global mobile traffic runs through networks which Ericsson has supplied. More than one billion subscribers around the world rely every day on networks that the company manage.

“Our leadership in technology and services has been a driving force behind the expansion and improvement of connectivity worldwide. We believe that through mobility, our society can be ommunication is transformed for the better. changing the way we “New innovations and forms live and work the world of expression are finding a greater over. Telecoms giant audience, industries and hierarchies are Ericsson plays a key role in this evolution, using innovation being revolutionised, and we are seeing a fundamental change in the way we to empower people, business and communicate, socialise and make society through the provision of decisions together,” Ericsson states. communications networks, telecom These exciting changes services and support solutions, making it easier for people all over the represent the realisation of the company vision: a networked society, globe to communicate. where every person and every “We are a world leader in the industry is empowered to reach their rapidly changing environment of full potential. communications technology –

“Our vision is to be the prime driver in an all-communicating world. In this world, everyone can use voice, data, images and video to share ideas and information wherever and whenever they want. We aim to make people’s lives richer and easier, provide affordable communication for all and enable new ways to do business.”

Our leadership in technology and services has been a driving force behind the expansion and improvement of connectivity worldwide Dynamic Duo

A key area of business for Ericsson in Africa is the fruitful long term partnership with MTN. In South Africa, MTN offers cellular network access, communications services and business solutions. It is part of the MTN Group, a multinational operation with more than 130 million subscribers in 21 countries across Africa and the Middle East.

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Revolutionising the South African pre-paid market, MTN and Ericsson co-developed MTN Zone, offering up to 95 percent discount on all MTN network voice calls.

As the leading mobile operator in Africa and the Middle East, MTN sought to develop a solution that would set it apart from competitors in South Africa and counter congestion problems on the network by flattening peak voice traffic. The solution would change customer calling patterns, influence peak and off-peak traffic balance as well as offering consumers more affordable mobile phone tariff options. The overall aim of this project for MTN was to maintain revenue, while improving network utilisation and voice quality.

MTN SA has a 36 percent share of the South African market. The rainbow nation is a culturally diverse country with more than 47 million inhabitants. It is a highly competitive and rapidly changing market where new and emerging rivals include four broadband operators and two fixedline companies.

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As the leading mobile operator in Africa and the Middle East, MTN sought to develop a solution that would set it apart from competitors in South Africa

Digitata Limited

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igitata Limited was selected by Ericsson, leading provider of telecommunications solutions

globally, to provide core technology for Ericsson’s Dynamic Discount Solution (now known as Yield Optimization), which uses the operator’s excess network capacity to:

Managed Services Nigeria

This year, Ericsson partnered with MTN Nigeria in a five year managed services agreement. This contract involves the management, optimisation and field maintenance of 75 percent of MTN’s network infrastructure in Nigeria. Under the contract, Ericsson will assume full responsibility of the management, optimisation and field maintenance of MTN’s network infrastructure in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Asaba, which represents the aforementioned 75 percent of the network. As a result of Ericsson taking over the day-to-

• Increase revenue • Improve the operator’s returns on investment and get more out of the network • Win and retain customers • Allow the operator to defer network expansions, reducing both capital and operating expenditure This technology uses discounted tariffs to shift load within the network away from periods of peak congestion to times when the network has unused capacity. But it is not a blunt instrument, like a static, off-peak pricing scheme.

This solution is dynamic, using historical and current load and revenue data, and business rules set according to operators’ business objectives, to determine the optimal discount for each individual cell, at specific times.

A powerful algorithm ensures control of the operator’s revenue. Broadcast messages let the customers know the discount level at any time, encouraging them to call, text or consume data – when the operator wants them to.

The partnership between Digitata and Ericsson has proven to be highly successful over more than seven years.

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Ericsson in SubSaharan Africa

day operations of the network, MTN is able to focus even more on its core business; providing a superior customer experience across all its network offerings.

Transforming Rwanda

In 2014, MTN Rwandacell identified the need to offer service differentiation.

Consequently, the operator worked with its long-term partner Ericsson to transform its network into an IP-based converged architecture, migrating all its subscribers to a common IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) platform.

This enables it to offer advanced, highquality services to its subscribers on both prepaid and post-paid plans.

People are at the heart of our services business: 57,000 professionals in 180 countries

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On a much broader scale than this, Ericsson’s presence in Sub-Saharan Africa is far reaching, boasting 2,288 employees in the region.

“People are at the heart of our services business: 57,000 professionals in 180 countries, including more than 20,000 employees outsourced to Ericsson in managed services contracts. Most of our customers are operators, but we also work with other adjacent industries such as TV and media, public safety and utilities.

“We combine local capabilities with global expertise. That means we base our competence and delivery resources close to our customers, while our global processes, methods and tools allow us to move our competences anywhere in the world, making the most of global learning and knowledgesharing,” comments the tech giant.

Through its people, processes and partnerships, Ericsson helps customers expand their businesses and keep pace with the latest industry developments.

Operators can maximise network quality and performance, and focus on their customers, by having Ericsson integrate equipment from multiple vendors, handle multi-technology change programs, design and integrate new solutions, and manage their operations.

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Passion for Technology

With over 35,000 granted patents, Ericsson has one of the industry’s strongest portfolio offerings in the world as the largest holder of standard-essential patents for mobile communication. “Our unrivalled patent portfolio covers 2G, 3G and 4G technologies, and we are a net receiver of licensing royalties with more than 100 patent-licensing agreements in place.

“Technology is at the heart of our business. Ericsson engineers, researchers and scientists around the world are always working on what’s next in information, communications and telecommunications (ICT),” highlights the company.

With a team who are committed to constantly improving both today’s technology and customer relationships, Ericsson are helping to create the breakthroughs that will shape tomorrow. As a result of offering the best-in-class solutions, “the key to

With over 35,000 granted patents, Ericsson has one of the industry’s strongest portfolio offerings in the world as the largest holder of standard-essential patents for mobile communication Ericsson’s continued success is our ability to build business-orientated customer partnerships.

“By engaging with our customers, we have a deep understanding of where they are headed and are able to actively support them on their transformation journey,” concludes the company.

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E n q uiries Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 151 Tel (SA): +27 (0) 21 527 0053 ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

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