Zain extends fibre optics Backbone with Nokia Siemens

[phronesis]

Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com

Zain Nigeria, one of the  biggest operations of  the group in the Middle East & Africa region is set to grow its market share further. The operator will expand its existing fiber network to ensure superior quality and secure services to a growing subscriber base. On the heels of an immensely successful project to build a 4000 km nationwide fiber backbone network, Zain has extended its contract with Nokia Siemens Networks to handle implementation of the additional 600 km.  

"Our aim is to create wide capacity for Nigeria's growing number of customers demanding high quality broadband services by deploying self owned fiber," said Zain Nigeria's Chief Operating Officer, Khaled Khorshid. "Following the initial project with Nokia Siemens Networks that was completed four months ahead of schedule, we knew they had the high standards and commitment to meet our delivery expectations. The benefit of a quick deployment is the significant revenue stream the new capacity generates for us, in addition to high savings as a result of reduced fiber leasing costs," Khorshid said.  

The Nokia Siemens Networks' Outside Plant Turnkey Solution for fixed networks offers a fast, cost-effective and efficient way to build a fiber optic network. It helps operators launch their network on time and on budget. With predictability as one of the key elements of a network roll-out, Nokia Siemens Networks ensures that all elements including project management, logistics and installation services are designed to optimize CAPEX and lower OPEX.

In fact Zain has already profited from the efficient roll-out of Phase 1 resulting in savings of close to US $ 7 million.  
"Our in-house expertise helped us accelerate the initial project resulting in significant commercial benefit to Zain Nigeria," added Ahmed Othman, head of Customer Business Team at Nokia Siemens Networks. "The additional fiber will allow Zain to maximise the quality and security of their network, putting them in a powerful position to emerge into Nigeria's leading telecommunications service provider. Building upon an association that spans a decade, we are looking forward to propelling them to further new heights."

Awarded the initial project in November 2007, at Zain's request, Nokia Siemens Networks successfully sped up the project's preliminary deadline of June 2009. Meeting all benchmarks on execution and quality, Nokia Siemens Networks completed Phase 1 of the project by end February. Post an internal audit that showed excellent feedback on the competence and delivery of the initial project, Zain chose to extend its contract with Nokia Siemens Networks for Phase 2.

Phase 2 will extend the fiber optic backbone by another 600 km and will be delivered completely within a timeframe of six months.

I have a dream that one day, the speed of internet browsing both on phone and PC will be as fast as the speed of light. What are you dreams regarding improvement in ICT in Nigeria?

[Pendragon]

To me, Nigeria has had a tremendous improvement in ICT during this last decade. I mean who could imagine that one could have the power of the internet in his hands using a phone way back 1999 in Nigeria. To me it was complete fallacy then, Even when I first used MTN's GPRS Test Service as of 2004/5 it was a dream come true. Here I am replying a post started by phronesis on ICT Improvement using my phone with MTN's superspeed 3.5G Data Service, typical dream come true cos I wouldnt have believed this will happen in our beloved country Nigeria way back as of 2003 when MTN stormed the Telecomm.  Market.
       I see a better Nigeria ahead in terms of ICT Development.

[phronesis]

I agree. I also wonder if the price of Mobile phones are actually coming down as this should be another area the government could help encourage mass use of mobile phones that could are internet enabled. I also wonder if the cost of getting internet broadband or dial up connections are coming down. I also wonder if the mobile operators are working towards reducing cost of using mobiles as they extend their core backbone infrastructure.

Hey, definitely, things will continue to improve. I have a dream!

[Pendragon]

@Phronesis: Its an honor to inform you that, this dream of yours is already a reality in Nigeria with little remaining to do. Sure the price of phone have fallen drastically though they rose a little bit due to Naira-Dollar fluctuation.
For the dial up which I think is still very expensive needs some attention.
         This reminds me of back during school period when my coursemates, friend and I use Facebook for our minute to minute communication and for disseminating important information. But complacency is not needed in the Telecomm. Sector, more needs to be done to achieve world class standards and cheapness of data services should be worked upon, though these service providers blame it on lack of sufficient power supply.

[Pendragon]

though these service providers blame it on lack of sufficient power supply.

Talking about Power Supply still boils down to Pres. Yara'dua Seven(7) point Agenda which involves improvement in power supply in Nigeria with the government targeting 10,000 MW of electricity, but so far my beloved country Nigeria has witnessed a drop in elect. generation from about 2,500 MW to around 1,500 MW with the government blaming the Niger Delta Militants. For our dreams in ICT development in Nigeria, I think power should be of great significant as we do not want to witness Telecomm. Provider's Mast's being powered by generating sets in this 21st Century thereby shooting prices of data services very high up where the average Nigerian will have difficulties affording it.