Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is a multinational data networking and telecommunications equipment company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. It is a joint venture between Nokia of Finland and Siemens of Germany.

Nokia Siemens Networks operates in more than 150 countries worldwide and has about 73,000 employees including the joinees from Motorola Net.[13] Most of those employees work in one of the six central hubs around the world, including: Espoo in Finland, Munich in Germany, Wrocław in Poland, Chennai and Bangalore in India, Guangdong in China and Lisbon in Portugal. Its major manufacturing sites are in Chennai in India, China, Oulu in Finland,[citation needed] and in Berlin, Germany.[14]

About a quarter of the world's population are connected everyday using NSN infrastructure.[13] The customer base of Nokia Siemens Networks includes 1,400 customers in over 150 countries (including more than 600 operator customers). Combined 2010 revenues exceed € 12.7 billion, making the company one of the largest telecommunication equipment makers in the world.[15]

Rajeev Suri is the current Chief Executive Officer of Nokia Siemens Networks. In this position he succeeds Simon Beresford-Wylie, who stepped down (October 1, 2009) after leading the company’s integration.[16] Nokia Siemens Networks' Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is Marco Schröter. The Chairman of the board of directors is now Jesper Ovesen, previous chairman was Nokia's former CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, vice chairman is Rudi Lamprecht (Executive Advisor to the CEO of Siemens AG).[17], [18]. In March 2012, Samih Elhage was appointed as Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Rajeev Suri.[19]

“Active” mobile broadband antenna puts users in the spotlight #MWC12

Nokia Siemens Networks and Telecom Italia to showcase unique beam forming capability* of Flexi Multiradio Antenna System at Mobile World Congress 2012

A mobile antenna system, which creates moving beams of radio signals that can be directed at individual users or confined to a specific area, is being showcased at Mobile World Congress 2012. Nokia Siemens Networks’ Flexi Multiradio Antenna System improves base station capacity and coverage to help address surging mobile broadband traffic and provide a better customer experience. The company is validating the improvements in base station performance in trials with Telecom Italia. The Flexi Multiradio Antenna System is based on Active Antenna System (AAS) technology, a key element in Nokia Siemens Networks’ Liquid Net architecture.

Nokia Siemens Networks will showcase a live Active Antenna System configuration at the company’s booth at Mobile World Congress 2012, Center Hall 8 Co1. The demo will illustrate beam forming, or the formation of dual-cell sector within the same antenna element, as well as the tilting capability of AAS.

Telecom Italia has been actively participating in the verification and testing of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Flexi Multiradio Antenna System. In fact, the leading Italian operator has been collaborating on a common R&D framework for intelligent antennas with Nokia Siemens Networks since 2006, contributing to the development of the Flexi Multiradio Antenna System. Initial results show that base station capacity can be increased by up to 65 percent and coverage by as much as 30 percent compared to traditional antennas with the new antenna system.

“We have started a trial of the Flexi Multiradio Antenna System to improve the network capacity and the end-user experience. Telecom Italia is convinced of the benefits of AAS technology and we are looking forward to introducing it in our network to boost our subscribers’ experience,” said Sandro Dionisi, head of Telecom Italia Lab and Global Consulting.

The Active Antenna System technology integrates several radio frequency (RF) components such as power amplifiers and transceivers into the antenna dipoles. This enables the unique beam forming capability that delivers significant performance enhancement and energy efficiency. In addition to improved capacity and coverage, AAS offers more flexible deployment, smaller footprint, lower power consumption and support for multi-technology networks. It also eliminates the need for separate RF units that are typically connected with feeders to traditional antennas.

“As a pioneer and leading active antenna system vendor, Nokia Siemens Networks is committed to helping operators address the unpredictable bandwidth demand cost-effectively by creating networks that adapt instantly to changing customer needs, use existing capital investments more efficiently and generate new revenue opportunities,” said Massimo Mazzocchini, head of customer business team Italy at Nokia Siemens Networks.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Nokia Siemens Networks strengthens Single RAN portfolio #MWC12

Unveils two multi-radio Flexi base station products for better capacity and coverage

Supports simpler, more cost-efficient network rollouts

Nokia Siemens Networks is launching its new Flexi Compact Base Station, the industry’s smallest macro base station for 3-sector sites combining baseband, radio and integrated transport in a single enclosure*. The company believes it will allow operators to modernize GSM networks for improved energy efficiency while offering the lowest total cost of ownership. The company has also launched a 6-pipes radio module**, the latest addition to its Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station family, which enables highly compact and high capacity multi-radio sites for LTE rollouts, and is ready for evolution to LTE-Advanced.

The products will be showcased at Mobile World Congress 2012 as part of Nokia Siemens Networks’ complete Single RAN portfolio.

“Smaller sites are not only more economical, but also much more energy efficient. In addition to the savings on equipment cost, operators can gain significant long-term savings in running costs due to reductions in the space required for site rental and energy consumption,” said Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems product management, Nokia Siemens Networks. “These additions to our Single RAN portfolio demonstrate our ability to deliver ‘macro’ performance in ‘micro’ size, with the smallest and most compact site offerings for mobile broadband networks.”

Nokia Siemens Networks’ all-in-one Flexi Compact Base Station is easy to install at any type of location, requires minimum site infrastructure, and can deliver high output power. Ideal for GSM/EDGE rollouts, its multi-radio capabilities enable a smooth upgrade path to 3G and LTE, helping operators protect their network investment. Optimized backhaul*** can be provided by FlexiPacket Lite Microwave, a point-to-point microwave solution operating in both licensed and unlicensed spectrum.

The second launch being highlighted is the 6-pipes radio module for Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station. An industry first, the new radio module enables deployment of compact and high capacity 3-sector MIMO**** sites for LTE rollouts. It can also support the smallest 6-sector***** MIMO sites with just two radio modules, offering up to 80% more capacity and up to 40% more coverage compared to conventional 3-sector sites, to provide cost-efficient mobile broadband. The Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station has recently also been used for a demonstration of super-fast LTE-Advanced data speeds delivering mobile broadband at 1.4 Gbps on 100 MHz spectrum.

Flexi Compact Base Station will be commercially available mid 2012. The 6-pipes radio module will be commercially available early 2013.

Both products support Nokia Siemens Networks Liquid Radio, and can allocate and reallocate network capacity flexibly, to address high traffic growth and support volatile traffic flows.

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #MWC12, #MBBFuture and #mobilebroadband.

Available picture:
Flexi Compact Base Station

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

New software frees GSM spectrum to deliver mobile broadband #MWC12

Liquid Radio GSM Software increases 2G efficiency, can double 3G and 4G data rates

360 operators in 140 countries serving 3 billion GSM subscribers can now allocate their network resources more fluidly with Nokia Siemens Networks’ Liquid Radio GSM software suite. When used with the company’s Flexi Multiradio base stations, the software suite makes more efficient use of the spectrum allocated to GSM services, while improving network quality. This frees up valuable spectrum to either increase GSM capacity or to deliver 3G and 4G mobile broadband at higher data rates.

Operators re-farming GSM frequency to support 3G and 4G rollouts can free up to 30% of their spectrum, reduce total cost of ownership by 20% and potentially double their average 3G and 4G data speeds. GSM only network operators can potentially quadruple their capacity while lowering energy costs by 14%.

The software suite is commercially available globally.

“Our multiradio equipment helps operators manage the unpredictable fluctuations in network coverage and capacity demands as mobile broadband users switch across applications and devices on-the-move,” said Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems product management, Nokia Siemens Networks. “With the new software suite, operators can make their network fluid, further optimize their Flexi Multiradio Base Station radio equipment, improve network efficiency and get more out of their spectrum. Moreover, with re-farming, rollout of mobile broadband services is easier, more cost efficient, and this can potentially help increase revenues.”

The Liquid Radio* based GSM software suite comprises of five Nokia Siemens Networks’ innovated features**. Mobile operators can deploy these along with the company’s award winning Flexi Multiradio Base Station family and Multicontroller for improved coverage and adequate capacity, and faster, more cost efficient evolution of mobile broadband.

Nokia Siemens Networks also offers planning and implementation services for re-farming 3G on 900 MHz and 4G LTE on 1800 MHz to help operators increase network capacity and improve network performance. Having supported over 65% of commercial 3G 900 MHz networks, the company is a leader in re-farming services***.

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #MWC12, #MBBFuture and #mobilebroadband.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Flexi Zone quenches thirst for mobile broadband, slashes cost per bit #MWC12

Latest addition to Nokia Siemens Networks Liquid Radio serves high density areas

Further small cell and indoor coverage solutions also launched in Barcelona

Nokia Siemens Networks has invented a way to deliver mobile broadband across areas with a very high user density more efficiently than ever before. Multiple, locally managed access points are used to create a network of interconnected ‘small cells’* creating a ‘Flexi Zone’ of mobile broadband coverage with a single connection back to an operator’s network. Flexi Zones allow virtually unlimited scaling of capacity as each zone can have up to 100 access points and yet behave, from the network point of view, as a single base station. The company is launching its Flexi Zone approach at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona.

Building on Nokia Siemens Networks’ Liquid Radio architecture, Flexi Zone is aimed at areas of high density usage, such as business campuses, shopping malls, or sports stadia. Flexi Zone can also reduce the cost per bit for operators by more than 50% compared to adding capacity through additional, larger, macro sites.

Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Zone comprises multiple, inter-connected low-power small cells that use a common pool of resources managed flexibly by a zone controller**. These clusters of HSPA, LTE and WiFi access points complement the macro-cellular network to deliver the best coverage and capacity where and when required. Flexi Zone allows local offloading of Internet traffic, saving up to 80% of transport and mobile packet core costs.

With its compact and highly integrated access points, Flexi Zone redefines how small cells are deployed. Based on the new architecture, each cluster of cells requires only one traditional connection to the network. Within the cluster, operators can benefit from more flexible ‘street level’ wireless connections (for instance WiFi, LTE). This can significantly reduce an operator’s network planning and installation work, because only an electrical power supply is needed to deploy Flexi Zone access points on lamp posts and other street furniture. Placing the access points as close as possible to subscribers achieves the best mobile broadband customer experience.

“Flexi Zone leverages the capabilities of small cells to create a seamless hot zone for a superior mobile broadband experience. Flexi Zone is the first small cells implementation using Liquid Radio baseband pooling, with a novel architecture that simplifies the deployment and operation of a small cell network. It’s the perfect answer to the conundrum facing operators who must constantly scale up network capacity to meet booming demand, while at the same time limiting their costs,” said Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems product management, Nokia Siemens Networks.

Using the company’s Self Organizing Networks (SON)*** offering, operators can automate the network management of small cell clusters and evolve to a unified heterogeneous network using a variety of radio technologies, cell sizes and frequency bands.

In addition to launching Flexi Zone, Nokia Siemens Networks is enhancing its small cells portfolio by launching:

3G Femto Access Points for residential and enterprise use;
FlexiPacket Lite Microwave****, a cost-effective, compact and easy-to-install backhaul solution for zero footprint small cell base stations and rural Ethernet backhaul;
In-Building Solutions – an approach that comprises all the technology and services required to implement bespoke indoor voice and data services. Delivering quality, flexibility and simplicity, In-Building Solutions enable reliable mobile broadband connectivity by significantly improving network capacity and coverage inside buildings. The comprehensive offering includes: strategic planning, design and dimensioning, as well as site acquisition, supply, project management and complete full turnkey implementation, along with testing and optimization of the network.
Operators, press and analysts are welcome to view Nokia Siemens Networks’ complete portfolio***** for small cells at the Mobile World Congress in the company’s networks area booth 4.

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #MWC12, #MBBFuture and #mobilebroadband.

Available picture:
Flexi Zone

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

World’s first intelligent automation for core networks #MWC12

Automating core network management saves up to 15% of operational costs

Nokia Siemens Networks is launching a Self-Organizing Networks (SON) technology that automates core network operations. The new SON for Core helps operators to automatically and rapidly allocate core network resources to meet unpredictable voice and mobile broadband demands. Core network investments are used more effectively, operational efficiency is raised and network reliability is improved.

With SON for Core, operators can automatically detect, analyze and react to changing traffic and core network conditions. The core network adapts instantly to balance traffic loads and help prevent demand peaks from causing bottlenecks. SON for Core also helps to optimize the use of transmission links between core network elements by automatically allocating unused capacity to overloaded connections. Furthermore, operators can route voice calls to a point of interconnection that is lowest cost and best quality to reduce operational expenditure and improve the customer experience. In addition, SON for Core enables the core network to handle smartphone signaling more efficiently and helps to avoid the need to build spare network capacity that is rarely used, or “over dimension”.

“Today, core network management is largely manual and often reacts too slowly to maintain the best customer experience in the face of rapidly changing demands from smartphones. Manually configuring core network elements and their connectivity is a highly skilled task that can be prone to human error. SON for Core addresses these issues by helping to prevent harmful traffic congestion and other core network conditions that could degrade voice and data services,” said Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems product management, Nokia Siemens Networks.

As well as improving the customer experience, SON for Core achieves a host of cost savings for operators. Up to 15% of operating costs can be saved by SON for Core’s process automation that transforms manual and slow network change management into fully automated real-time processes. The total cost of ownership of major network elements can be cut by up to 30% and transmission costs between radio access and core network elements can be more than halved by identifying and selecting co-located network elements.

These benefits are achieved by SON for Core’s self-optimization and self-configuration capabilities that run on core network elements (distributed SON) and on the Operations Support System (OSS) (centralized SON)*.

SON for Core is part of the new Nokia Siemens Networks iSON** which extends the company’s proven capabilities of SON for heterogeneous radio networks. iSON is part of the Nokia Siemens Networks Liquid Net*** portfolio.

The implementation of SON for Core and SON for heterogeneous radio networks can be supported by Services for SON to design, integrate and, where needed, operate SON in telecommunications networks. Each SON deployment can be tailored, with customization of policies, rules, algorithms, automation and other aspects to suit each operator’s unique requirements. With more than 1,300 network planning and optimization projects delivered globally every year, Nokia Siemens Networks delivers holistic, expert customization and consultation to maximize the value of SON automation.

Nokia Siemens Networks iSON is in commercial use in networks in West Europe and South East Asia.

“All trials and commercial implementations for 40 million initial subscribers have been carried out successfully and operators have shown great enthusiasm for this solution, recognizing the opportunity to minimize network element provisioning costs while achieving an optimized core network,” said Robrecht.

Customers, press and analysts are welcome to view the Nokia Siemens Networks iSON demonstration at the Mobile World Congress in the company’s networks area booth 5 and as part of the customer experience demo area.

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #MWC12, #MBBFuture and #mobilebroadband.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

Tele2 has chosen Nokia Siemens Networks solutions for testing LTE technology at 1800 MHz

The mobile operator Tele2 has announced a contract with one of the world's largest suppliers of infrastructure and network equipment Nokia Siemens Networks for the supply of network infrastructure for the construction of a pilot area for testing LTE technology at 1800 MHz.

As stated by the operator, testing LTE 1800 is designed to prove in practice to effectively use GSM networks and LTE at the same frequencies without compromising the quality of communication. Earlier, Tele2 has provided data from studies commissioned by the operator, as well as reporting the world's leading manufacturers of telecommunications equipment, which speak of the possibility of simultaneous operation of GSM and LTE in the range of 1800 MHz.

The technique was developed for future testing of FSUE "Research Institute of Radio" (NIIR), Tele2 will be tested in close collaboration with the Institute.

For the construction of a pilot area Tele2 has selected equipment company Nokia Siemens Networks, including energy-efficient and compact base stations Flexi Multiradio. This equipment provides a high capacity mobile broadband network, and provides a smooth transition from GSM to LTE. In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks will supply an operator solution to Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which is part of the Liquid Core architecture and manages the connections of broadband subscribers mobile data to the Internet, private network operators, or corporate networks.

Liquid Net innovations channel mobile broadband to users #MWC12

New Nokia Siemens Networks’ technology handles booming, unpredictable data traffic

Benefits of Liquid Net proven in multiple live networks

Nokia Siemens Networks has added a raft of new capabilities, many of which are industry-firsts, to its Liquid Net portfolio. By fluidly allocating mobile broadband where and when it’s needed, the company’s approach creates far more efficient networks that adapt to volatile demand. The company will be providing further details on its evolution of Liquid Net in the run up to Mobile World Congress 2012, in Barcelona, where the breakthroughs will be demonstrated in live networks.

One specific advance being showcased at the event is a new service-aware and cell load-aware capability for HSPA/HSPA+ networks. Even when demand is at its highest, this feature can help operators deliver data-thirsty services like video with the lowest costs and customer-pleasing quality, as well as tap into new revenue sources.

Nokia Siemens Networks is the first to implement this new real-time service-aware capability in radio infrastructure as part of the company’s Liquid Net-based end-to-end Intelligent Broadband Management*. Data consumption per subscription is doubling every two years, and operators can now deal with this, setting policies to tag data packets and enabling the radio access network to use these tags to prioritize different services within the same data connection. Broadband users get the service they want, video service providers gain a boost in usage even when the network is congested, and operators can reduce their investments as much as 35% by increasing the network’s overall utilization and efficiency.

“More than 200 operators globally are already using Nokia Siemens Networks Single RAN and can implement this unique service awareness in their HSPA/HSPA+ radio access networks with an easy software upgrade,” said Marc Rouanne, head of Networks Systems, Nokia Siemens Networks. “This Liquid Radio innovation works with any devices that the 1.2 billion** broadband subscribers around the world are using and harmonizes the 3G and 4G mobile broadband experience.”

Among Liquid Net’s other novel developments is a Self Organizing Networks (SON) function that optimizes the use of macro and pico cells deployed by operators to provide optimum capacity and coverage for voice and mobile data sessions. The same Liquid Net function can also automate network operations for the Flexi Multiradio Antenna System. This enables the active antenna to provide even more dynamic beamforming – focusing a particular radio connection and directing it to a specific user – within the radio cell, depending on demand.

A key principle of Liquid Net is evolutionary change rather than disruptive revolution. This allows an operator to start transforming its network at any time and in any domain – radio, core or transport. Nokia Siemens Networks already has one deal and three trials with customers for the Liquid Radio-based Flexi Multiradio Antenna System under its belt, with rollout ramping up throughout this year.

Close to 280 operators use Nokia Siemens Networks mobile softswitching in live commercial networks connecting 1.6 billion people every day. Almost 40 of them have already started implementing Liquid Net-based core virtualization using the Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) ATCA® platform. These include live networks operated by Telkomsel Indonesia and Aircel India.

Over 100 operators use the company’s Liquid Core-based LTE-ready packet core, and more than 120 operators have selected Nokia Siemens Networks optical solutions***. Several of these operators like FASTWEB have implemented the company’s Liquid Transport-based 100 Gbps (100G) technology and several 400 Gbps (400G) laboratory trials are ongoing.

Live demonstrations of the company’s latest Liquid Net enhancements can be seen at Mobile World Congress 2012.

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #MWC12, #MBBFuture and #mobilebroadband.

Nokia Siemens Networks delivers faster, more flexible 4G (HSPA+) #MWC12

Presents first ever demo of HSPA+ Multiflow on commercial infrastructure equipment, delivering up to double the cell edge data speed

Operators will be able to offer enhanced mobile broadband with a new feature for HSPA+ networks from Nokia Siemens Networks and Qualcomm*. Known as HSPA+ Multiflow, it allows devices located close to the edge of a mobile base station’s cell to connect with a second base station serving a neighboring cell. The ‘Multiflow’ name refers to the two different paths data can then take to reach a device. The feature makes far more efficient use of network resources, delivering up to double the data speed and up to 50% faster response compared to existing HSPA+ networks.

A live demonstration** at Mobile World Congress 2012 of the feature will be based on Nokia Siemens Networks’ commercial Single RAN offering and Qualcomm’s prototype USB dongles.

“With 100 million smart devices being added every month, we see a consequent increase in ‘smart’ applications that make use of their advanced capabilities. Not only is network traffic rising dramatically, much of it is also unpredictable in nature, and this can impact user experience,” said Keith Sutton, head of the WCDMA business line for Nokia Siemens Networks. “This is where HSPA+ Multiflow helps operators – it reduces imbalances that typically occur in network resource usage, and increases HSPA+ speed and capacity.”

HSPA+ Multiflow enables simultaneous transmission of two data streams from base stations in two adjacent cells to a single user device instead of one data stream from one base station as is the case with HSPA+*** today. Overall, this can up to double throughput (data speeds) for users at cell edge. Due to Nokia Siemens Networks’ highly scalable Single RAN equipment, operators can protect their earlier network investments, by evolving their existing HSPA networks to the new technology with a simple software upgrade.

“We are working with Nokia Siemens Networks to drive the evolution and deployment of technologies like HSPA+,” said Serge Willenegger, vice president of product management at Qualcomm. “This demonstration confirms that HSPA+ Multiflow will enable us to further enhance the HSPA+ mobile broadband user experience, and is thus a valuable contribution toward enhancing the HSPA+ value proposition and further expanding global mobile broadband coverage."

The HSPA+ Multiflow feature is expected to be 3GPP standardized**** by mid 2012, and will be available commercially from Nokia Siemens Networks by second half of 2013.

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #MWC12, #HSPA+ and #mobilebroadband.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Nokia Siemens Networks opens Smart Lab in Silicon Valley #MWC12

Mobile World Congress 2012,
Barcelona, Spain – February 20, 2012

Newest mobile broadband lab supports app developers, device and OS vendors, operators

Nokia Siemens Networks has opened a flagship mobile broadband testing and development facility in the heart of Silicon Valley. The company’s newest Smart Lab allows US-based operators, smartphone and operating system (OS) vendors, and application developers to analyze application and device performance across ‘live’ mobile network environments, including LTE. The lab aims to find the ideal balance between the best user experience and the lowest impact on network performance.

The lab benefits from the company’s new Smart Lab Performance Advisor, a reporting dashboard that provides instant insights into app and device behavior. The Smart Lab Performance Advisor facilitates the evaluation process at Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Labs. Each application and device tested is ranked by comparing test results to a database of network performance indicators*. Operators can use this ranking to get a thorough understanding of application and device impact, and achieve the most effective network configuration to minimize such impact.

Nokia Siemens Networks will be demonstrating its Smart Lab Performance Advisor aimed at improving the overall mobile broadband experience at MWC 2012.

All Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Labs are equipped with an end-to-end network where the dependencies between mobile broadband technologies, smartphones and tablets, applications and services like Voice over IP, mobile video or social media can be tested and evaluated. The company collaborates with all stakeholders in the mobile ecosystem at these labs, advising them on how to further optimize network and application performance.

“Smartphones with always-connected applications introduce a new type of network behavior, and increase volatility in mobile broadband demand,” said Jan Hellman, head of Smart Labs at Nokia Siemens Networks. “This can considerably increase signaling traffic and drastically reduce smartphone battery life, and thus impact user experience. Our Smart Labs provide the world’s leading mobile broadband testing facilities and collaboration with other industry players allowing us to better advise our customers on how to make their networks more smartphone friendly.”

“Our Smart Labs and Smart Labs Performance Advisor reflect our growing commitment to help operators get concrete insights on how to resolve these issues,” Hellman said.

The company’s new Smart Lab Performance Advisor will be demonstrated at Nokia Siemens Networks’ “Let’s talk” zone at MWC 2012. In addition to the new Silicon Valley site, the company has Smart Labs in Finland, South Korea and France, as well as a second lab in USA.**

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion on Twitter using #MWC12, #smartphone and #mobilebroadband.

Mosaic Telecom becomes world’s first operator to commercially deploy femtocells in the AWS spectrum

U.S. operator selects femtocell solution from Nokia Siemens Networks

Subscribers of Mosaic Telecom, a regional U.S. operator serving rural areas in Wisconsin, now enjoy substantially improved indoor 3G coverage, resulting in high-speed data services and enhanced voice call quality. The operator is the first in the world to commercially deploy femtocells in the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)* spectrum that uses the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands. Nokia Siemens Networks provided its end-to-end femtocell solution, which is also the first to be based on the 3GPP release 9 standard**.

Femtocells allow operators to build targeted coverage and capacity in specific locations, which is otherwise very difficult with a macro network. Standards-compliant femtocells are a safe choice for operators, giving them the freedom to select different access point vendors over time without making any changes to the core network.

“Femtocells will greatly reduce our capital and operating expenditures due to the reduced load on our macro network. Enabling improved coverage and high-quality voice and data services in coverage-challenged households and enterprises, they are ideal for our predominantly rural presence,” said Rick Vergin, chief executive officer of Mosaic Telecom. “Nokia Siemens Networks’ femtocell solution was a natural choice for us as we look to offer the best service to our customers.”

Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks has deployed an end-to-end femto system comprising its industry leading Femto Gateway and the associated management and provisioning systems, along with femto access points based on Ubiquisys’ technology. This complete end-to-end 3G femto solution will support Mosaic in improving rural coverage and offering a better user experience by enabling the introduction of new low-cost tariff plans that can reduce overall monthly bills.

“This pioneering deployment in AWS spectrum signals our increasingly strong momentum in the femtocell market,” said Timo Hyppola, head of the femto product line for Nokia Siemens Networks. “We are delighted to support Mosaic Telecom in enhancing their customers’ mobile experience.”

Mosaic Telecom has a track record of deploying latest technologies and delivering a superior experience to its customers. In 2011, the operator selected Nokia Siemens Networks to provide Long Term Evolution (LTE) equipment*** in place of its existing WiMAX solution.

About Mosaic Telecom

Mosaic Telecom is a multi-faceted provider of quality telecommunications products and services, including 4G cellular service, high speed Internet, video entertainment, landline telephone and long distance, including 3G and 4G mobile service. Headquartered in Cameron, Wisconsin, Mosaic Telecom provides service to both residential and business customers in a large portion of northwestern Wisconsin. Widely recognized as a leader in the rural telecommunications industry, Mosaic Telecom has been in business for over 50 years. More information about Mosaic’s services can be found at www.mosaictelecom.com

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

T-Mobile Poland, Orange Poland to improve network coverage, offer better quality services through radio network sharing

Nokia Siemens Networks to consolidate and upgrade operators’ GSM and HSPA radio networks, preparing for evolution to LTE

T-Mobile Poland and Orange Poland have selected Nokia Siemens Networks as one of the vendors to deploy and upgrade their GSM and HSPA networks, enable radio network sharing and prepare them for Long Term Evolution (LTE). Currently, Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa operates the T-Mobile network, while PTK Centertel runs the Orange network, and these will be managed by a joint venture called NetWorkS! Nokia Siemens Networks will provide its Single RAN (radio access network) platform and related services to improve the network performance, reduce costs and make the shared network LTE-ready.

“We are focused on delivering high-quality services and introducing the latest technologies in Poland. The network upgrade and development will significantly improve the performance and quality of the shared infrastructure, which will be the largest in the country, to provide an optimum end-user experience. In Nokia Siemens Networks, we have a partner with a global experience of network sharing deployments and this will ensure a speedy roll-out for us,” said Milan Zika, director of the technology and networks division and Board Member, T-Mobile Poland.

“The network consolidation and upgrade is an important part of what we aim to deliver with the radio network sharing. It will result in higher network availability and improve the quality of services for Orange and T-Mobile subscribers in Poland. At the same time, it will enable better use of network resources and make new investments optimal,” said Maciej Witucki, chief executive officer of the Telekomunikacja Polska Group, which owns PTK Centertel.

Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single RAN platform, based on the compact, energy efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Stations, will replace a large part of the existing GSM and HSPA radio access sites. The platform will also allow a percentage of the existing sites to be re-used, thereby lowering costs while protecting investments. In future, it will enable a smooth transition to LTE through a simple software upgrade.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ NetAct network management system will ensure a single view of all the different network technologies, consolidating network monitoring, management and optimization within this shared environment. The contract also includes a range of services, including construction works and the full set of care services comprising hardware services, proactive software services and 3,000 hours of training as part of competence development services.

“So far, no operator has undertaken a multiradio RAN sharing initiative of such a broad scope and we are excited to be part of this implementation. Our Single RAN platform will not only enable the operators to adopt new technologies at a rapid pace and use different spectrum bands efficiently but also reduce the cost of delivering high-quality voice and mobile broadband to end-users,” said Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems Product Management at Nokia Siemens Networks.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on a commercial LTE network, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work together seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
http://www.twitter.com/NokiaSiemensNet

“Mobile operators: this Valentine’s show your customers you care” #MWC12

Mobile World Congress 2012,

Nokia Siemens Networks launches ‘Customer Experience Management on Demand’

A new way of handling the world’s six billion mobile users has been launched today. Nokia Siemens Networks’ Customer Experience Management (CEM) on Demand portal puts an understanding of the individual needs of every single customer at its heart, aiming to put some love back into a relationship which can be frustrating and often close to breaking.

“Understanding, listening and reacting positively lie at the heart of strong relationships,” said Amiram Mel, head of Customer Experience Management at Nokia Siemens Networks. “This Valentine’s day, we want to put a little love back into how people feel about their mobile operator.”

CEM on Demand provides a new portal as a single entry point to dashboard views of mobile operators’ key performance indicators (KPIs) and recommends actions they can take to improve their customers’ experience. CEM on Demand makes it easier to access and share this information across the entire operator organization while in the office, or on the go via smart devices such as laptops and iPads.

“Effective customer experience management requires a holistic, cross-organization approach and an ability to isolate the key insights that really make a difference to the customer experience out of the huge volumes of event data an operator generates,” said Caroline Chappell, senior analyst, Heavy Reading. “Nokia Siemens Networks’ CEM on Demand addresses these requirements, by providing a centralized CEM function that can be used by multiple stakeholders across the operator organization, and by building in CEM intelligence based on its global experience of tried and tested best practices and KPIs.”

“We are making it much easier for operators to manage the customer experience,” said Mel. “CEM on Demand allows operators to see and hear the needs of their customers more clearly than ever before.”

For customers, the benefit from CEM on Demand is an immediate, relevant, personalized service experience. For example, with the ‘high value customer insight content pack’, operators can obtain real-time insights based on KPIs such as tariff plan, service use, hotspots and locations, type of device and device performance, roaming and service quality. Based on these KPIs, operators can instantly resolve quality issues for example with data connections in a crowded shopping center. In addition, operators can provide detailed background information about network issues to customer care center agents in real-time.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ CEM on Demand comprises various ‘content packs’ combining sets of customer-centric reports and dashboards that show the insights derived from KPIs for networks, services and devices. Based on these insights, the portal recommends action to be taken to improve the customer experience. By choosing the content packs that are relevant for their organization, operators can adopt a phased and manageable approach to address the most important factors impacting their customers’ experience. Nokia Siemens Networks’ content packs incorporate the knowledge and experience gained from hundreds of customer experience management implementation and optimization projects that the company executed worldwide.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ existing products and solutions for Customer Experience Management are the foundation for CEM on Demand. This portfolio is designed to handle real-time data, processes and actions, and ensure the seamless flow of high quality data used and displayed by CEM on Demand. In addition, CEM on Demand can be integrated and used in multivendor network environments.

CEM on Demand can be delivered on site and as a Software as a Service model. It can also be delivered as a complete managed service model called Managed CEM to meet operators’ business needs.

Mobile operators have an opportunity to see how Customer Experience on Demand can improve their relationship with customers in Nokia Siemens Networks’ Experience Center (C01) in Hall 8 at Mobile World Congress.

For more information on Nokia Siemens Networks’ offering for customer experience management, follow this link. To share your thoughts on Twitter, please use #CSPCX or join the industry discussion on Customer Experience Management in LinkedIn CSPCX-Group.

What is the future of antennas in an urban environment?

Nokia Siemens Networks and Aalto University to organize an active antenna design competition for students as part World Design Capital Helsinki 2012

One of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 key themes is looking at how good design can improve peoples’ everyday lives. During the project, Nokia Siemens Networks and Aalto University will explore potential new designs for future mobile network antennas. Antennas are part of our urban environment and make it possible for people to use data and voice services with their mobile devices.

The dynamic efficiency of antennas is more and more important, as the use of mobile broadband services is increasing. Demand for network capacity fluctuates as people use their favorite applications in different times and places. Network capacity – and therefore antennas – needs to be delivered to where people want to use services. This makes good antenna design more and more important.

The project is part of Aalto University´s International Design Business Management program (IDBM). This is a joint program between Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture, School of Engineering and School of Economics. Students will be given the task to create ideas for a new antenna design under the theme “What would an active antenna look like in 2020 in an urban environment – create an antenna that we don’t need to hide!”

“Students from different disciplines will work jointly during our Interdisciplinary Product Development course, bringing their different backgrounds to the project. The project also fits well to Aalto University’s World design Capital theme of promoting better living environments,” says professor Kalevi Ekman, Aalto University Department of Engineering Design and Production.

Aalto University’s IDBM program has been listed as one of the “World´s Best Design Programs” by Business Week in 2009.

“Our aim is to offer people excellent experience in using mobile broadband. Good design is part of the experience, therefore we wanted to participate with this project in the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012,” says Pekka Soini, Finland country director, Nokia Siemens Networks.

The proposals created by the students are evaluated by a panel consisting of design and technology experts from Aalto University and Nokia Siemens Networks. The best design will be awarded and a model of it will be placed in the company’s Solution Experience Center.

“Active antennas mark the next step in the evolution of radio networks, integrating the base station’s radio frequency (RF) elements into the antenna. This means considerable capacity gains and coverage improvements. Active Antenna as a system enables new innovative designs and that’s what we are looking for in this project,” says Ossi Pöllänen, senior consultant, Nokia Siemens Networks Chief Technology Office.

About Aalto University

Aalto University, Finland is a new multidisciplinary science and art community in the fields of science, economics, and art and design. The University is founded on Finnish strengths, and its goal is to develop as a unique entity to become one of the world's top universities. Aalto University's cornerstones are its strengths in education and research. At the new University, there are 20,000 basic degree and graduate students as well as a staff of 4,700 of which 340 are professors. Aalto University’s programme for the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 raises awareness of research and education related to the design of living environments. The programme is called Living+. living.aalto.fi

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on a commercial LTE network, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work together seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011.
http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
http://www.twitter.com/NokiaSiemensNet

Dissatisfaction with mobile broadband key driver for changing operator #MWC12

Global study of 16,000 people in 17 countries highlights where operators must focus

A major global study* on the habits and priorities of mobile users has shown that those using mobile broadband services frequently** are the most likely to switch their operator. Out of more than 16,000 mobile users interviewed, over 40% were identified as these heavy users of advanced services and of these more than half had swapped operators in the previous years, with approximately 40% ready to switch provider in the next 12 months.

The annual acquisition and retention study, commissioned by Nokia Siemens Networks, has shown that the impact of mobile broadband quality on customer retention significantly increased in 2011. Network coverage and voice quality were rated as the most important criteria in 2010 and continue to be among the top criteria to retain customers in 2011. However customers who are classified as ‘heavy users of advanced services’ now rank mobile broadband quality alongside voice quality and network coverage in determining to leave or stay with their mobile operator.

People who chose their mobile operator for the first time, and subscribers who swapped operators during the last six months, also ranked voice quality, network coverage and mobile broadband quality as the three top criteria in determining their operator.

According to the report, customers rated high speed mobile broadband as the most important service over the next few years. Unfavorable contract conditions, the high cost of devices and voice services, unfavorable tariff schemes, operators’ device portfolios and poor mobile broadband quality attracted the highest dissatisfaction ratings globally.

The study further reveals that given the rise in smartphone subscriber numbers, heavy users of advanced services will become the most prevalent subscribers in the future. The number of users in this segment increased dramatically by 34% in mature markets in 2011, and more than half of them are below 35 years. According to the study, about 60% of these users expect excellent network quality even if it costs a little more, and about 45% are ready to pay extra for special mobile services such as security packages or GPS-based services.

“Our study highlights the need to focus on high value customers and improve the quality of mobile broadband to acquire, satisfy and retain mobile customers,” said Amiram Mel, head of Customer Experience Management at Nokia Siemens Networks. “It is vital for operators to provide a personalized experience by using the information they have about how customers use their mobile services, to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Customer insights enable operators to prioritize individually selected services and allocate their precious network resources to match the service expectations of different customer segments.”

Network operators, customers, press and analysts are welcome to see Nokia Siemens Networks’ approach to Customer Experience Management at its Experience Center C01 in Hall 8, Fira de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Share your thoughts on Customer Experience Management using #CSPCX or #mbbfuture on Twitter or joining our LinkedIn-Group.

Some highlights of our acquisition and retention study are available via Slideshare here.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on a commercial LTE network, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work together seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
http://www.twitter.com/NokiaSiemensNet

Nokia Siemens Networks marks major milestone in Packet Core for mobile broadband

First vendor to deploy one billion packet core subscriber licenses*; leads LTE-ready packet core deployments globally

Over 285 operators in more than 115 countries around the globe use Nokia Siemens Networks’ packet core offering* to serve the fast growing demand for mobile broadband. Of these, over 100 operators use the company’s Liquid Core based LTE-ready packet core**, and are equipping their networks to support LTE and substantially reduce overall core network cost of ownership. The company has deployed over 2000 packet core network elements*** worldwide, and is the number one provider of LTE-ready packet core for GSM/ EDGE, HSPA, LTE and Wi-Fi based mobile broadband networks.

Mobile broadband data traffic is expected to grow nearly 2600% by 2015, and with consumer users set to outpace enterprise users, operators must be able to support typical consumer usage patterns such as video streaming, gaming and social networking,” said Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems product management, Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our packet core helps them to do this smoothly and cost-efficiently. Further, operators can easily evolve their traditional packet core to support LTE using their existing LTE-ready packet core, and manage all subscriber services. This helps maximize revenues while lowering cost of delivery of mobile broadband.”

Nokia Siemens Networks’ LTE-ready packet core offering is based on its Liquid Core architecture. This helps operators better manage unpredictable data traffic demand by flexibly allocating network resources, and channeling capacity where needed. Operators can enjoy tremendous hardware efficiency gains by reducing floor space by up to 80%, reap substantial core network savings for e.g. by lowering energy costs by up to 65%, and maintain the overall quality of subscriber experience.

The company’s LTE-ready packet core solution supports GSM/EDGE, HSPA/HSPA+ and Wi-Fi and LTE/LTE-Advanced. With this, operators can protect their network investments more easily by evolving their existing packet core networks to support the latest radio access technologies with a software upgrade. They can also evolve to a ‘cloud’ based core network architecture, pool resources such as processing power and share them among different core network applications such as applications of LTE-ready packet core, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and Mobile Softswitching System.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on a commercial LTE network, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work together seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had revenues of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com http://www.twitter.com/NokiaSiemensNet