Aviat Networks Inc, has reported that it has been contracted by the telecom
major MTN Nigeria to offer enhanced managed services and associated technical
support to the telecom network of one of Africa’s largest cellular operator.
The deal would also involve the Santa Clara based firm managing and
controlling the conduit of materials into and out of MTN Nigeria facilities
which are being managed by Aviat Networks Inc. The services rendered would also
include the setting up of, managing and augmenting of network resources of high
net worth customers who would be identified by MTN Nigeria. This is not the
first time Aviat Networks is being contracted to manage the facilities of a
telecom firm in Nigeria, as Etisalat had signed a similar deal with the company
in 2012.
While explaining the reasons for going ahead with the contract expansion,
MTN Nigeria’s Senior Manager Core and Transmission Implementation in the
NID-Network Group has been quoted to have said that, “This is an opportunity to
work more closely with our partner on planning and deploying Aviat equipment
into the MTN Nigeria network. This new agreement demonstrates our confidence in
Aviat’s capabilities to efficiently manage our inventory. The agreement reduces
our overall costs and pain points and improves visibility to better plan future
inventory requirements.”
Even though the details of the contract was not disclosed (especially to
the Nigerian audience) Aviat Networks Inc has gone on record to state that MTN
Nigeria is one of its key customers and is thrilled to be accepted as a trusted
partner by the telecom operator in helping the firm provide value added
services to its key customers. The services provider has also added that its
speciality offering of managing the inward and outward flow of products for a
company, is one of the key differentiators for the firm. It hopes to break into
new accounts on the back of its success with MTN Nigeria.
Aviat Networks Inc, had in 2012 announced the signing of a service level
agreement (SLA) to provide Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS),
operating as Etisalat Nigeria, with a comprehensive suite of Managed Network
Services. The agreement, financial details of which were not available, covers
establishing a network operations centre, providing an element management
system and implementing spares management programme.
With that deal, Aviat Networks established a Network Operations Centre
(NOC) to operate 50 hops of Etisalat's Enterprise Data Network, comprising 100
radios of the Eclipse Packet Node microwave networking solution, on the mobile
operator's network nationwide within Nigeria.
