STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
* Ericsson's LTE technology will ensure superior network performance
* Zain Bahrain selects Ericsson Charging System 5 to offer enhanced and more
flexible services to its customer's base
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and Zain in Bahrain have entered into a partnership to
transform the operator's network. The agreement includes the latest LTE
technology and prepaid charging including consulting and systems integration
services. Ericsson will replace existing 2G and 3G radio network equipment while
adding 4G functionality with the Ericsson RBS 6000 family of base stations.
Ericsson will also deploy Evolved Packet Core with triple-access SGSN-MME and
Ericsson Evolved Packet Gateway based on Ericsson SSR 8000 family of Smart
Services Routers as well as MINI-LINK PT and SP for IP backhaul.
Mohammed Zainalabedin, CEO Zain Bahrain says, "The most important thing for us
is to benefit from Ericsson's state of the art technology and experience across
the board to address our ever growing market requirements. Entrusting Ericsson
with the transformation of our network will enable us to achieve standards of
the desired quality at a predictable cost and will also help us focus more on
our customer requirements with direct service offerings."
As a part of agreement, Zain will also implement Ericsson's Charging System for
prepaid subscribers as phase one of the convergent charging and billing in one
solution (CBIO). This business support solution (BSS) will enable Zain to market
its services with greater flexibility in pricing with the possibility of cross
bundling and packaging multiple services supported by real-time charging. As a
part of project, Ericsson is also responsible for systems integration and
solution deployment services.
Anders Lindblad, Head of Region Middle East, Ericsson says, "This agreement with
Zain in Bahrain really highlights how Ericsson combines its leadership in
technology and services for the benefit of its customers. With our continued
partnership, we support Zain in delivering the latest technologies that combine
enriched information, communication and entertainment experiences to their
customers."
Ericsson has delivered more than 150 LTE/Evolve Packet Core networks worldwide
of which more than 80 have gone live commercially. These include networks for
all of the top ten operators ranked by number of subscribers worldwide in 2012.
Ericsson's LTE technology offers end-to-end networks with superior performance
when it comes to stability, throughput, and latency - the most important factors
for end-users of LTE.
NOTES TO EDITORS
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About Zain
Part of the Zain Group of mobile operators that serves 44.4 million customers
across the Middle East and Africa, Zain Bahrain entered the Kingdom's telecoms
market in 2003 as the second mobile operator. As at 30(th) June 2013, served
748,000 customers, reflecting a 36% year-on- year growth. The operator has
earned a reputation of implementing innovative business practices and providing
customers cutting-edge technologies, putting Bahrain on the global
telecommunications map with a string of firsts - the first country with
nationwide 3G, then 3.5G and WiMAX coverage. Today, Zain Bahrain has developed
into a successful fixed wireless service operator offering full-spectrum
corporate telecoms solutions, voice and data services in the Kingdom. In April
2013, the operator launched a hi-speed 4 G LTE service that is being gradually
rolled out nationwide to homes, offices and on the mobile network. For more,
please visit: www.bh.zain.com
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
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Zain Bahrain selects Ericsson’s latest LTE tech: http://hugin.info/1061/R/1739054/583529.pdf
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