Ericsson selected by Transtel to provide first multi-service network in South Africa
Transtel, the telecommunication division of Transnet, providing services in
South Africa and across 17 other African countries. Ericsson's ENGINE
multi-service network will be rolled out across South Africa, in anticipation
of Transtel's participation as the country's second national fixed network operator
The ENGINE network to be built for Transtel will combine voice, data, video
and Internet traffic on a single network, resulting in lower operating costs
and expanding the range of information, services and applications available to end-users.
"The partnership with Ericsson will ensure a real competitive advantage for
Transtel's existing and future customers, said Karl Socikwa, CEO of Transtel.
"It is clear that to attract customers, we have to provide a premium quality
service at competitive rates."
In the initial phase of the contract, Ericsson will deliver the backbone of
the network - telephony servers, media gateways, multi-service core switches,
routers and the related network management system. The overall contract
includes business consulting, design, implementation and infrastructure.
Implementation is to be completed by first half of 2002.
"Transtel will be one of the most technologically advanced operators on the
continent, and will have a clear edge in taking new services to market," said
Jan Embro, Managing Director of Ericsson South Africa.
"ENGINE is flexible and adaptable, which will be critical when entering a new
market. It will allow the operator to cater for any demands placed on them,
whether for corporate or rural services, to give customers telephony services
far more cost-effectively," added Mr Embro.
Ericsson's ENGINE multi-service network solutions meet a variety of operator
needs from future proof broadband multi-service solutions to all-IP networks,
from the protection of existing investments to the provision of new end-user
services, and for both cost management and revenue generation.
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications
through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions
in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful
communication companies in the world.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Peter Olofsson, Director of Public Relations
Ericsson, Multi-Service Networks
Phone: +46 8 71 91880; E-mail: peter.olofsson@ericsson.se
Lungi Biko, General Manager -Corporate Communications
Ericsson South Africa
Phone: +27 11 283 2306; Email: lungi.biko@esa.ericsson.se