Siemens Information and Communications Group (I and C Group) has commissioned a fully operational Intelligent Network (IN) platform for Vodacom Lesotho Limited (VCL) in Maseru, bringing increased services and numerous benefits for prepaid customers.
Siemens I and C Group signed the initial contract to provide an IN platform for VCL last December. The contract is valued at R17 million. It allows capacity for 24 000 prepaid subscribers and is fully extendable to 150 000 subscribers.
The IN Platform will be known in the marketplace as Mocha-O-Chele. The switch was also upgraded to facilitate additional anticipated traffic flow.
Prepaid customers in Lesotho will reap many benefits from the VCL system, including zoned tariffs, voicemail retrieval, customer care services, emergency services, balance enquiries and recharge service.
The solution, which comes at a time when another mobile licence is pending in Lesotho, includes a connector pack, receiver connector pack, migration pack for use by VCL talk shop only, and recharge vouchers.
Siemens was a pioneer in developing and implementing IN for fixed and mobile networks. Several features, such as PrePaidService and Virtual Private Network, generate high profit for the operator.
Implementation of the IN platform ensures state-of-the-art services and expendability to any number of subscribers. In addition to prepaid services, it can also offer home zone billing and a virtual private network.
Luis Martins, the Key Account Manager for Vodacom within Siemens Telecommunications, said: "Drawing on our resources and vast experience in this field of expertise, Siemens provided a solution with limited risk in the critical early stages of IN platform roll-out and development.
"With Siemens shouldering some of the burden, VCL resources can focus on activities that add the highest value, such as proactive service development as competition for market share intensifies."
In conclusion, Martins said: "The presence of Siemens and its subsidiaries in all continents with large service organisations enables us to provide first-class project management for a powerful equipment roll-out, as well as system support, to any level required by the customer.
"Siemens I and C Group in South Africa supports as many as 20 countries with equipment and services in Africa and is a pioneer in developing and implementing IN for fixed and mobile networks. As part of their commitment to Africa, Siemens turnkey contracts include the provision for skills training and job creation."
Share
*Siemens I and C comprise the three Groups: Information and Communication Networks (51 5000 employees, EUR 9.9 billion in sales), Information and Communication Mobile (20 000 employees, EUR 5 billion in sales), and Siemens Business Services (34 000 employees, EUR 5 billion in sales).
Siemens I and C Group (Siemens Telecommunications Pty Ltd) Siemens Information and Communications Group (I and C) in SA is a leading provider of voice and data networks with a comprehensive portfolio of IP-based products and solutions for enterprises, carriers and service providers.
It is an integral part of the Information and Communications (I and C) business segment of Siemens AG, which also comprises Information and Communication Mobile and Siemens Business Services. The I and C Group is divided into Carrier and Enterprise Solutions which focus on providing customised solutions, including the integration of products, systems and technology, to suit both business and individual needs.
With a strong foundation in the mobile networks arena, which includes established GSM infrastructure, products, solutions and services for the Next Generation Internet, and electronic business solutions, Siemens provides the full spectrum of mobile business solutions, allowing users to communicate and be connected to information and services any time and any place
Editorial contacts