Ericsson Gets Warid

LONDON -- Warid Telecom has awarded Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY) with a managed services contract for its GSM/GPRS network in Bangladesh. The contract covers the operation, management and maintenance of the core network, backbone transmission and real-time charging/Value Added Services (VAS).

Ericsson will also manage Warid Telecom's Radio Network in the western part of the country, covering Rajshahi, Khulna, and Barisal areas.

Under the four-year managed services agreement, Ericsson will be fully responsible for the operations, management and maintenance of Warid Telecom's network upon completion, including commercial launch, network surveillance and assurance service, as well as field and site maintenance, service provisioning and optimization.

Muneer Farooqui, Chief Executive Officer of Warid Telecom International LLC, Bangladesh Operations, says: "There is a huge addressable market for Warid Telecom to tap into in Bangladesh where currently the mobile penetration rate is less than 15%. We are excited with the possibilities of bringing mobile communication to more areas and making it accessible by more people in the country. Warid Telecom is aiming to make the mobile communication even more affordable for the masses of Bangladesh."

"By having Ericsson to manage and operate our network, we are able to focus our resources on building our branding, sales and marketing activities, strengthening our customer services and developing more services that meet our subscribers' needs and expectations," Muneer adds.

Jan Signell, President, Ericsson South East Asia, says: "We are proud of being selected by Warid Telecom in this contract. We have enjoyed a fruitful managed services partnership with them in Pakistan, where Warid has exceeded its own expectation. We are committed to ensure that Warid Telecom repeats similar success in Bangladesh."

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)