Vodacom Tanzania prepares for super fast 4G mobile broadband

“Vodacom is committed to bringing world-class LTE technology to Tanzania. This will contribute to the development of the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) industry and provide ultra-fast data services on par with leading LTE services around the world,” said Rene Meza, managing director, Vodacom Tanzania. “We selected Nokia Siemens Networks because of its proven capability in refarming 1800 MHz spectrum for LTE. Its advanced radio and core platforms made the trial possible, and the excellent results convinced us that we can roll out a reliable and high-quality LTE network.”

“Our advanced Flexi Multiradio Base Station was a natural choice for this trial as it is capable of seamlessly supporting multiple technologies on a single platform,” said Pete Beadle, head of Vodacom customer team at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our radio and core platforms used in the trial provided extremely reliable network connections for faster throughput that improves customer experience. With our Single RAN multi-technology platform, Vodacom can prepare its network for a smooth launch of LTE services and protect its investments today and tomorrow.”

Nokia Siemens Networks provided its Single RAN platform based on its award-winning, compact and energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station. The company also provided its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) platform, including Flexi NS (network server), Flexi NG (network gateway) and Liquid Core based SGSN (serving GPRS support node). In addition to providing its Mobile Softswitching (MSS) that manages traditional voice calls, Nokia Siemens Networks provided its CSFB voice call system. This system enables LTE smartphones to fallback to GSM and 3G networks so that users can enjoy voice calls alongside text messaging (SMS) and ultra-fast data services. The company also used its NetAct network management system to enable consolidated monitoring, management, and operation of Vodacom Tanzania’s trial network.

For more information and a video overview on Nokia Siemens Networks’ mobile broadband capabilities, follow this link. To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #mobilebroadband and #LTE.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 100 countries and had net sales of approximately 13.8 billion euros in 2012. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

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Notes:
*Part of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Liquid Net, Liquid Core decouples hardware and software and adds intelligent software applications that enable the core network to adapt and optimize to meet the fluid needs of subscribers, the services they use and the operational state of the network itself.

Through core virtualization, any core software application can run on COTS ATCA and ultimately other generic multi-purpose hardware. Costs are reduced by re-using existing hardware. In addition, it is possible to reduce floor space by up to 80% and energy costs by up to 65%, with future improvements expected. Furthermore, intelligent broadband management delivers the best customer experience at the lowest cost, end-to-end across all network domains.

Nokia Siemens Networks has 160 Open Core System customers worldwide with over 70 live core networks. And more than 280 operators serving 1.6 billion subscribers have selected the Nokia Siemens Networks MSS, which is now available on the Liquid Core Platform. Nokia Siemens Networks Open Core System won in the category of the ’Best LTE Core Network Product’ at LTE North America Awards 2011.

**CSFB is a 3GPP compliant functionality that enhances TD-LTE (time division duplex-long term evolution) and FDD-LTE frequency division duplex-long term evolution) deployments with voice capabilities. With CSFB, the end-user device is directed to WCDMA or GSM network for voice calls. The device then remains in the WCDMA/GSM network until the call is completed. Data sessions also continue in the 3G network many times at lower speeds. If dual transfer mode is available in GSM, data session also continues while using the GSM network. CSFB also enables text messaging service (SMS) for LTE subscribers, providing a unified voice and SMS service experience along with LTE data services. The subscribers can use the same phonebook, supplementary services such as call waiting and call forwarding, and the same voicemail box.

Operators can reuse existing infrastructure investments while they can delay the implementation of voice over LTE (VoLTE) based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) including the required system integration for instance for business and operational support systems. Next to this existing roaming systems and inter-operator roaming contracts can be reused. With CSFB, operators can effectively address competition from over the top internet service providers. In addition, this functionality helps operators eliminate the problem of frequent handovers between CS and VoIP domain, if the quality of VoLTE coverage in the beginning is not consistent.