23-28 Interview Jorg Erlemeier.pdf - Teletimes

maintenance deal with NokiaSiemens Networks for itsfiber backbone network. Thisis a significant managedservices contract for NokiaSiemens Networks in Africa.TT - What is the current marketshare of Nokia Siemens in theAfrica and the Middle Eastregion?JE - We have a significantfootprint and market share inthe MEA region. We are one ofthe top two companies in ourfield in the region.TT - Do you have any plans inmind for the rest of the year2010? How much progress doyou expect by the year end? Anymajor upcoming operations?JE - The MEA has always beenone of the top priority regionsfor Nokia Siemens Networks.In the Middle East at present wesee the first signs of slow,cautious recovery from theglobal economic crisis. At thesame time we definitelyanticipate a huge need foraccess to funds in the region. Wesee topics like managed serviceare a trend that will support ushere.Africa is clearly opening up nowand I believe that the positioningof Africa on the world mapfor telecommunication suppliershas now reached its momentum.For every player in the telecommunicationsfield Africa is aninteresting target, because thereis still a lot of penetration to bereached. This is a bit different insome of the Middle Eastcountries, which have alreadyreached extremely highpenetration rates, but Africanmarkets and Pakistan still have along way to go to reach their February 2, 2010: Vodacom final penetration rate and wework agreement to support innovative network systems Tanzania subscribers enjoy see great growth opportunity.global network operations. and services. the benefits of pre-and TT - What do you think will beFramework agreement covers February 12, 2010: Tunisiana postpaid convergent services the next big technologicalpurchase of leading mobile frees subscribers from with the upgrades to Nokia breakthrough of Nokia Siemensnetwork infrastructure and inflexible payment schemes Siemens Networks' unified Networks?support services. Included in with help of Nokia Siemens charging and billing solution. JE - Nokia Siemens Networks isthis infrastructure is the Networks' combined pre and October 22, 2009: Zain committed to innovation anddeployment of its market- post pay solution that brings Nigeria signed a multivendor sustainability. We offer aleading energy-efficient Flexi greater choice and flexibility. network operations and complete portfolio of mobile,base stations and otherwww.teletimesinternational.com 25

TT - How do you see the level ofcompetition in the region?JE - The Middle East and Africaregion has the presence ofleading network operators andhence there is competition.A healthy competition is goodfor the industry as a whole. Itbrings innovation, improvedproducts, technology to theClients and affordability andservice excellence for the enduser.TT - Do you offer any outsourcedservices? Who are your majorpartners in this regard?JE - We have seen a global trendof accelerating the outsourcingand managed services, and thatis not purely to drive theoperational cost down, but alsoto apply more efficiency. NokiaSiemens Networks has beenworking with operators on areaslike unified charging and billing,better end service experienceand at the same time, we takerole in their legacy technologyoperations.Our recent success is the dealwith Zain in Nigeria, where weare operating their broadbandand backhaul. Managed Servicesare a key trend and is on theagenda with many operators inthe region. Some are going fasterthan others but it is exploredand discussed now with almostevery customer in this region.TT - Please highlight the CSRinitiatives of Nokia Siemens inthe Middle East and Africaregion.JE - Nokia Siemens Networksstrongly believes in giving backto the society we serve. We have MoU entails providing the Islamabad. 000 Euros to Red Cross toinitiated and participated in a students with industry exposure Rebuilding culture and heritage ensure that aid reaches thenumber of CSR initiatives in the and insights into the latest in in Pakistan:victims as quickly as possible.Middle East and Africa region. telecom technologies. A total ofTowards rehabilitation of thefive in-class learning modules on On October 8, 2005, Pakistan'sProviding learning beyondvictims' original habitat, amobile networks and fixed Mansehra district was struck byclassrooms in Pakistan:750,000 Euro commitment wasnetworks are taught by Nokia a massive earthquake causing made to the ongoing reconstructragicloss of life and destruc- tion of two villages, Jabar andIn a commitment to contribute Siemens Networks experts andto the development of higher senior managers to the college's tion. Nokia Siemens Networks, Kodar that were most adverselytechnical education in Pakistan, Electrical and Computer Nokia and the Heritage affected by the earthquake.Nokia Siemens Networks signed Engineering students, in Foundati on of Pakistana Memorandum of Understand- responded by providing instant To ensure that the rehabilitationaddition to a module on industrying (MoU) with The College of relief to victims through was sustainable in the long-experience gained by working atElectrical and Mechanical donating 100,000 Euros to Edhi term, the project endeavored toNokia Siemens NetworksEngineering in Pakistan. TheFoundation and another 50, uphold four pillars: culturetelecoms expertise facility inwww.teletimesinternational.com 27

(provide relief which is in line African students with free Nokia Siemens Networks then able to stay in school throughwith local tradition and values), access to more than 10,500 embarked on a mentorship the drought. Five basicheritage (provide means to supplementary math materials program which involved staff education centers were alsopreserve the valuable heritage and interactive mathematical members adopting Grade 10 equipped not only with bookspresent in the area), community resources. The project, called students from these schools. but also with solar panels,involvement (involve local 'ImfundoYami / ImfundoYethu' Staff members will guide utilizing natural resource topeople at every possible step in was built to enhance the students towards academic provide electricity. Furthermore,providing aid) and economic traditional learning environ- excellence and assist them with the local community was trainedempowerment (create economic ment through a medium widely social skills development and to properly manage and ensureactivity that would help people accessible and of considerable social responsibility providing the sustainability of waterbecome independent and self- interest to learners. Grade 10 them with expert career points within the area.reliant). students in Gauteng, the North guidance. This initiative is part This partnership, supported bySince the initiation of this West and the Western Cape of our aim to achieve a 100% Woreda administration and itspartnership, Nokia Siemens provinces can use their own passing rate at Gatang Compre-relevant offices, emanates fromNetworks-Nokia-Heritage handsets to access the mathe- hensive School and Ndzundza the belief that the solution toFoundation have come a long matics content on MXit. In Mabhoko High School by 2011. emergency situations needs toway in restoring the everyday addition to mobile learning, the Providing children with access to b e driven by long-termlives of people in Jabbar and project also trains kids on water and sanitation in Alaba sustainable efforts that centerKodar and keeping the commu- mobile ethics and awareness of Special Woreda: on community upliftment.nity's value system intact. the risks involved with surfingthe internet and chatting online. Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia TT - How is Nokia-Siemens'sWomen have been trained andand Save the Children Finland philosophy of hiring peopleempowered to use their skills to Contributing to the educational collaborated to help alleviate different from other companies?make and sell jewellery, schools development of South Africa: water problems in Alaba Specialhave been constructed and nowJE - Nokia Siemens NetworksIn 2009, Nokia Siemens Woreda, an area severelyopen to local children, environ-aims at being the employer ofNetworks allocated 1 million dependent on rainfall. With themental and reforestationchoice. As a highly ethicalRand towards supporting the fluctuation in rainfall especiallyprograms have been initiatedcompany that cherishes itsDinaledi Schools Adoption during the dry season, peopleand a heritage museum has beenvalues, we apply these ethicsProgram, an initiative by the are forced to travel 20km toconstructed. These are just fewwhen looking at hiring people.South African government to fetch water every day. Childrenof the milestones that haveOur aim is towards buildingboost mathematics, science and form the most vulnerable group,already been achieved.quality leaders in the industry.technology education in select suffering improper sanitation, We look at hiring talent with aBringing quality education to underprivileged schools across water-borne diseases and early vision that they can grow toTanzania:South Africa.school drop-outs as incomes are leaders in the industry.Nokia Siemens Networks, We committed to assisting two reduced due to the difficulty incattle rearing.TT - What advice will you giveNokia, Pearson Foundation and Dinaledi schools: Gatang to the fresh graduates who wantthe Forum for African Women Comprehensive School in Six community managed water to work with Nokia SiemensEducationalists have teamed up Mamelodi and Ndzundza points have been set up in Alaba Networks?t o s u p p o r t Ta n z a n i a ' s Mabhoko High School in Moloto Woreda. Along with hygiene“BridgeIT” program. This project – institutions which have been education and cash-for-work JE - Nokia Siemens Networksallows remote schools and taken under our wings since initiatives for parents, the has always been in forefront ofcommunities to access a vast 2009.project ensured that children are encouraging young studentsrange of educational videowhich is evident from our tiesTELETIMES International is amagazine of repute and hasbeen closely analysing the everevolving landscape of networksand telecommunication.We look forward to workingclosely in the future and wishTeletimes all the best.Jorg Erlemeiercontent to enhance children'slearning experiences, goingbeyond the traditional informa-tion provided by textbooks andclassroom resources. Theprogram has already benefited1,000 primary school teachersand 10,000 primary schoolchildren across 200 publicschools in Tanzania in its two-year pilot phase.Bridging the digital dividethrough mobile learning inSouth Africa:Nokia and Nokia SiemensNetworks have partnered withMXit, a social networkingplatform, to provide Southwith universities in Pakistanand a “pipeline” from a SouthAfrican university, with 10-15graduates joining us every year.Lebanon also provided us 20graduates in 2008.We also provide valuable handson e x p e r i e n c e t h r o u g hinternship opportunities –offering a scholarship programto two selected students persemester. Against the backdropof a rapidly growing telecomsector, this allows students to beup to speed with the industrythey will enter in the next fewyears and harness theirpotential to advance the localmarket.28www.teletimesinternational.com