Ericsson and T-Mobile UK have signed a five-year managed services contract to modernize the T-Mobile UK network and provide managed services with a comprehensive range of professional services.
The strategically important contract includes modernization of T-Mobile's infrastructure, field operations and multi-vendor spare parts management. The contract came into effect on the 1st December 2007.
The five-year contract will enable T-Mobile UK to lower operational expenses whilst maintaining high quality levels, strengthen the company's platform for growth and improve the customer experience.
Ericsson will build on its existing UK managed service capability. Around 190 staff from T-Mobile will be transferred to Ericsson, further enhancing its service organization.
Emin Gürdenli, Networks Director, T-Mobile UK, said: "Ericsson are a long-term and trusted partner and we are very pleased to extend this relationship. This is an important step in the evolution of our network strategy which underpins T-Mobile's commitment to provide a superior service experience for our 17 million customers in the UK."
Jacqueline Hey, Managing Director, Ericsson UK, said: "We are very proud to be entrusted with the responsibility for the evolution and continuing field operations of the T-Mobile UK network. This further strengthens our partnership and creates a platform for extended collaboration and future benefits."
Prior to this new contract, Ericsson was already T-Mobile UK's 3G core transformation partner. T-Mobile is a global Ericsson customer, where Ericsson supports network operations in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic and the US.
The contract is the second managed services contract Ericsson has concluded with a Deutsche Telekom company this year. It follows a contract for operation and maintenance of Deutsche Telekom's microwave network in Germany announced in August.