Posts tagged Press Release

Deployments to extend the reach of networks into remote areas across the two countries, as well as increase network reliability

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina – April 6, 2009 – Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSTX), a leading specialist in backhaul solutions for mobility and broadband networks, today announced it was selected by Africell Holding, a subsidiary of Lintel Holding, to expand its GSM networks in Africa. Harris Stratex Eclipse™ radios provide backhaul for next-generation, IP-enabled mobile base stations to support increased reach and capacity for Africell networks in Gambia and Sierra Leone. Deployments began in December for a contract valued at $1.9 million. With more than 1.3 million subscribers, Africell Gambia and Africell Sierra Leone lead their respective markets with 67 and 45 percent market share.

Lintel deployments include 90 links of Eclipse high-capacity radios, which are optimised for networks with flexible, high-bandwidth capabilities and native gigabit Ethernet interfaces. The links extend network reach into remote areas across the two countries, as well as increase network reliability. The Eclipse platform, well known for a number of market firsts for TDM wireless transport, including Super-PDH™ transport and compact nodal networking, will enable Africell to achieve a stable, nationwide, independent backbone in both countries. To learn more about the Eclipse platform, please visit the Eclipse product page on the Harris Stratex Web site.

Harris Stratex also will supply its advanced ProVision® Element Management System. The ProVision system was developed specifically for managing microwave radio networks, and delivers advanced features for monitoring and controlling TDM and Ethernet traffic. It also provides a number of advanced features for monitoring and controlling TDM and Ethernet transport, such as end-to-end circuit provisioning, Ethernet utilisation reporting and RMON performance monitoring. For more information on the ProVision system, please visit the product page on the Harris Stratex Web site.

Elias Arwadi, chief operations officer, Africell Holding, commented, “As the dominant market leader in Gambia and Sierra Leon, Africell is committed to expand into all rural areas and provide the same quality of service through a state-of-the-art national backbone. This investment, especially in the current economic climate, as part of a bigger ongoing expansion, is again a vote of confidence in the market potential of both Sierra Leone and Gambia.”

As an Eclipse customer for more than three years, Africell was quick to embrace Harris Stratex’ comprehensive solutions because of the company’s proven track record of providing high standards for customer service, technical expertise and reliable products. 

“We look forward to expanding our relationship with Lintel. Harris Stratex is fully committed to the African market with our local presence for both technical and post-sales support. Further, our Eclipse technology provides the ideal platform to support Africell as it rolls out new services to these two key markets,” said Harald Braun, Harris Stratex president and CEO.

Harris Stratex Networks has an extensive presence in Africa, providing on the ground technical support for the region's operators from its regional headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, and satellite offices across Africa.  Deep knowledge of the local market and in-market technical support has been a key factor in developing Harris Stratex' close partnerships with the region's operators.

###

About Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.
Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. is a leading specialist in backhaul solutions for mobility and broadband networks. The company offers reliable, flexible and scalable wireless network solutions, backed by comprehensive professional services and support. Harris Stratex Networks serves all global markets, including mobile network operators, public safety agencies, private network operators, utility and transportation companies, government agencies and broadcasters. Customers in more than 135 countries depend on Harris Stratex Networks to build, expand and upgrade their voice, data and video solutions. Harris Stratex Networks is recognised around the world for innovative, best-in-class wireless networking solutions and services. For more information, visit www.HarrisStratex.com.

About Lintel Group
The Lintel group of companies is engaged in the provision of GSM telecommunications services in West Africa since 2001. The group provides capital, management advice, marketing and partnering support, as well as other services. Africell Holding, Africell Gambia, Africell Sierra Leone, Africell RDC (Congo DRC), and Linfra are among its subsidiaries.
www.lintel.com 

About Africell Sierra Leone
Africell Sierra Leone has achieved the first position in terms of market share in a record time and facing multinational operators. Plans are underway to achieve the country’s widest coverage footprint by the second quarter of 2009. Africell Sierra Leone was awarded the very prestigious AWOL (All Walks Of life) Telecoms company of the year award for 2008.

The secret recipe behind this success was a strategy of aggressive marketing and network roll-out. Aside from the growth in the subscriber base, Africell Sierra Leone major success was in winning the hearts and minds of the people in a record time and to become an inherent part of the Sierra Leonean society through a very active social agenda.
www.africell.sl

About Africell Gambia
Africell Gambia has held the first positioning in terms of market share since 2006 and has consolidated this positioning since with a large spread. This positioning was done through an aggressive and consistent marketing effort that is well adapted to the country’s social settings in a way that Africell has become the nation’s trend setter.

Africell Gambia has won for two consecutive years (2006 and 2007) the GCCI (Gambia Chamber Of Commerce) award for Best Service provider and is also nominated for 2008; that in addition to many other awards including Best Customer Service.
www.africell.gm

Trademarks
ProVision® is a registered trademark of Harris Stratex Networks. Eclipse™ and Super-PDH™ are trademarks of Harris Stratex Networks. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

For more information:
James Delves/Lauren Wood
+44 (0)1628 628080
hsx@noiseworks.com

 

Leading communications firm builds temporary communications and designs unified communications platform as council rebuilds services

[Lichfield] – 03 April, 2009. Europe’s leading expert in communications services, NextiraOne, is helping Melton Borough Council recover from a major fire in 2008. The company has installed temporary communications systems to help the council stay connected whilst staff are spread across temporary locations or work from home. NextiraOne has also designed and implemented a new technology solution that will enable the rebuilding of the council’s telephony and data networking services, allowing the introduction of new unified communications applications and a new state-of-the-art contact centre.

The fire at Melton Borough Council’s headquarters in May 2008 destroyed most of the council’s office accommodation and staff had to be relocated to eight remote sites. Some had to be housed as far as 50 miles away in Nottingham and many employees have been working from home. NextiraOne was asked to help provide a temporary system that would quickly see the telephony services and basic IT systems back up and running again. Working to extremely tight deadlines and with a constantly changing scenario, NextiraOne set up a robust interim networking solution, including a new contact centre which now sees all aspects of the council’s work – both internal and external - “joined up” and functioning more efficiently than before the fire.

As the fire destroyed all the Council’s communications technology, NextiraOne were able to look at everything with a fresh approach without having to consider legacy systems and other constraints.

The solution proposed by NextiraOne is based on Alcatel-Lucent‘s IP telephony platform including unified communications technology, and Melton Borough Council will be one of the first local Government organisations that will use the full functionality of the system including remote homeworkers, single number personal assistant, plus audio conferencing and web based desktop sharing to enhance group working and help save on operational costs.

New applications such as presence, instant messaging and unified messaging will significantly enhance the Council’s communications, making it easier to contact members of staff directly, whether they are desk-based or remote. Presence indicates whether the person is available and how best to contact them - by messaging, desk phone or mobile, for example, whilst unified messaging allows all types of messages to be accessed single user interface regardless of location or device.

The new Melton Borough Council system has been built in three phases over the last six months and is now nearing completion as a fully functioning unified communications platform across the current council offices, temporary sites and local sites, and those working from home. The new applications are currently being implemented and the system will continue to evolve as the rebuilding programme and the move back into new council headquarters progresses over the next 2-3 years. The Council has now also agreed a six-year maintenance contract with NextiraOne.

The unusual circumstances have meant that NextiraOne had to work quickly and efficiently to get the council back up and running. “NextiraOne really pulled out all the stops for us and the team’s experience in building complex and future-proof systems really shone through,” said Chris Stone, Head of ICT at Melton Borough Council. “We only had two weeks after the fire to put the initial plan together and NextiraOne worked with us all the way to get that done. Since then they have worked to our tight deadlines and constantly changing environment to provide us with a truly state-of-the-art system which we are confident will continue to develop as our situation evolves during the rebuilding programme. It will allow us to maximise our performance as we gain a better understanding of the capabilities of the system and we are confident it will help us to enhance our business.”

Steven Skakel, Managing Director UK & Ireland at NextiraOne, said: “This was a difficult
project in that we were working against the clock and trying to put in short term and long term solutions at the same time. However, we have very experienced people who know how to deal with emergency situations as well as those who can help design for the future. Our experts are working alongside the borough council to provide the very best short and long term solutions.”

– Ends –

About NextiraOne
Headquartered in Paris, NextiraOne are Europe’s leading experts in communications services.

The company designs, installs, maintains and supports all of its customers’ communications needs from voice to mobility, security and applications. NextiraOne provides seamless, end-to-end communications solutions working with the leading technology vendors in the industry to deliver maximum business benefit to customers.

Discover more at: http://www.nextiraone.co.uk and http://www.nextiraone-eu.com

*NextiraOne and the NextiraOne logo are registered trademarks of NextiraOne LLC

For more information:
Neil Moss
European Marketing Director
NextiraOne
Tel: +33 1 7229 1059
neil.moss@nextiraone-eu.com

Sheila Lashford
Splash PR
Tel: +44 (0) 7986 514240
sheila@splash-pr.biz

About Melton Borough Council
For more information see www.melton.gov.uk

Contact:
Chris Stone
Head of ICT
Tel: +44 (0) 1664 502502
Email: cstone@melton.gov.uk

Sharon Perks
Head of Customer Service & Change
Tel: +44 (0) 1664 502502
Email: sperks@melton.gov.uk

 

It was announced today that mobile operator, Camel Wireless are providing international SIM cards that offer free roaming in the USA, in addition to another 50 plus countries. This ground breaking offer is built on what is called a Dual IMSI SIM. Each SIM card has two identities, a +44 UK mobile number and a +1 USA mobile number. Users can receive calls on either number just about anywhere in the world. When receiving calls on the +44 number, inbound charges are free in the USA, European Union, and countries such as Australia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Inbound calls on the +1 number are charged at 24p per minute in these countries. As well as the free incoming calls, Camel Wireless include the USA in their EU zone, where outbound calls within the zone are charged at as little as 20p per minute. Typically Network Operators charge up to £1.75 to call from the USA to Europe, and £1 to receive a call. This is due to operators in the USA imposing MTC (Mobile Termination Charges) for all calls made or received in the country. The Camel Wireless Dual IMSI SIM eliminates these fees. The Camel SIM also offers nationwide USA coverage with roaming on both AT&T and T-Mobile, with users being able to switch between networks where coverage may be limited. The Dual IMSI SIMs are available to pre-order for delivery early to mid May at the company website www.CamelWireless.com at £29.99 per SIM, which includes £10 initial airtime credit. The company also offer free postage to any country worldwide. Further instant top ups can be made via the website through a secure log-in customer portal. Here, real time call records can be viewed and users can even set up cheap web initiated calling, as well as conference calling. Customers not requiring USA savings are able to order the standard Camel SIM card. This is available immediately at £24.99 including £10 airtime credit. This offers exactly the same rates except when used in the United States. Both the standard and Dual IMSI SIMs are fully GPRS/3G data enabled on purchase and offer Caller ID. The company also offer post-paid services to the business sector, who achieve massive mobile communication cost savings when roaming. Camel Wireless also provides a turn-key white label service to worldwide Distributors, who brand the SIMs and service as their own.