Zain Iraq to upgrade network with Nokia Siemens

Zain Iraq has signed Nokia Siemens Networks for a major upgrade project to expand capacity and improve network capabilities.

Under the $150m deal, Nokia Siemens Networks will upgrade Zain's network infrastructure to increase capacity on the network and to improve manageability of the system. Zain's infrastructure will be migrated to the NSN portfolio, and the company will also take on responsibility for Zain Iraq's Core, Intelligent Network and Value Added Services elements of the network.

Ali Al Dahwi, CEO, Zain Iraq, said: "Gearing up to increase our network capacity meant that we first and foremost require a vendor who could integrate the two core networks in operation with us. Given our group's long term strategic partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks and the personal dedication of the local team, they were in the best position to provide us a stable, reliable country-wide network at a significantly reduced operating expenditure."

The infrastructure project will take between ten and twelve months, and will provide Zain Iraq with capacity for twelve million customers. The operator, which was formed from MTC Atheer and Iraqna, currently has eight million subscribers.

Jan Cron, Head of Middle East and Africa region for Nokia Siemens Networks said: "Nokia Siemens Networks has proven time and again that it is a committed and valuable partner to the entire Zain group of companies. With Zain Iraq, our multi-vendor integration capabilities will enable them to reach out to an ever greater number of subscribers in as cost effective manner as possible, thus fulfilling their mission of providing mobile services to the people of Iraq at highly affordable rates."