Dodoma, Tanzania – December 19, 2011 -- Vodacom Tanzania is modernizing its GSM and 3G networks nationwide to improve performance and capacity, providing more reliable, faster, mobile broadband services. Under a five-year contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is implementing its Single RAN (radio access network) platform for the network modernization and expansion. In addition, the vendor is deploying additional GSM and 3G base stations to expand coverage. The company will also deploy its software features to increase network capacity and efficiency.

“It’s our key priority to constantly improve the quality of service for our customers by increasing our network capacity, performance and coverage across the country,” said Dana Bakker, manager of executive operations, Vodacom Tanzania. “To achieve this, we selected Nokia Siemens Networks to be our long term partner based on its technology capability and efficient services support.”

“We awarded managed services contract to the company previously. We believe it is the right approach to make one partner responsible for both managed services, and network upgrade and expansion. This allows the company to fully understand our network requirements,” added Bakker.

“Vodacom required a radio access platform that can increase spectral efficiency and network capacity, and reduce capital and operating costs as well as energy consumption,” said Gideon Geyser, head of customer team Vodacom Tanzania at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our flexible, scalable single radio access platform fulfills all these requirements for Vodacom. This multi-technology platform can prepare Vodacom’s network for LTE, helping the operator get the most out of its investments today and tomorrow.”

Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is implementing its Single RAN platform based on its award-winning, compact, energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station*. This platform will replace Vodacom’s existing GSM and 3G base stations. This multi-technology platform is able to run GSM, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and LTE, and can be defined to roll out a particular technology with a simple software update. The company also provides its Liquid Radio based Self Organizing Network (SON)** for the radio access and core network as well as its NetAct powered network management solutions.

In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks provides its Orthogonal Sub Channel (OSC-Half Rate) and Dynamic Frequency and Channel Allocation (DFCA) GSM software features*** to increase the network capacity and efficiency.

The company’s services including network planning and optimization, network implementation as well as care services ensures rapid modernization and expansion of the network.