MUNICH -- Siemens Networks has been commissioned by the Arabian mobile operator Qatar Telecom (Qtel) to operate its UMTS mobile network in the State of Qatar. This managed services contract includes monitoring, maintaining and optimizing the network.

The managed services market for telecommunications providers is growing rapidly, by over ten percent a year, and constitutes an increasing share of telecommunications equipment business. With well over 100 orders, Siemens is one of the market leaders in this sector and is growing three times faster than the market. The new contract with Qtel extends and expands the service partnership that has already been running since June 2006. Siemens guarantees smooth network operation with transparent and sophisticated performance indicators such as defined periods for fault clearance. The network is monitored via a network operation center. Siemens employees eliminate software disruptions remotely from the center or alert maintenance teams who will then carry out the necessary repairs, if the problem is mechanical.

Mobile telephony is on the increase in Qatar. Utilization of the network is growing accordingly and has been further added to by major events like the 15th Asian Games in December 2006. Qtel had the opportunity at that time to see the benefit of the professional network management provided by Siemens.

Abdul Aziz I. Fakhroo, Senior Manager Wireless Networks at Qtel comments: "With Siemens as managed services partner we meet the challenges facing our network. In the UMTS sector our demands are especially high due to the attractive services for our end customers, such as surfing on the internet via mobile phone and sending video messages. Moreover, thanks to the well-established processes at Siemens, we were able to bring our UMTS network to market particularly fast."

Nokia Networks