Successfully takes over network operations for E-Plus Group in Germany
From Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ZTE Services Deutschland, a ZTE Group company, announced today that has taken over the responsibility for the rollout and the network operation of the E-Plus mobile network as part of a managed services contract signed last year.
ZTE Services Deutschland stated it completed a smooth and trouble-free transition of the network operations in early January 2014, following the company's acquisition of former contract holder, Alcatel-Lucent Network Services (ALNS).
In order to enlarge its service capabilities and to expand its portfolio in Germany, ZTE Services Deutschland completed the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent Network Services (ALNS) with effect from 8 January 2014. In the course of the transaction, ZTE took over hundreds of supplier contracts, of which E-Plus Group was one.
All of the 750 employees of the former network service provider of E-Plus have been successfully integrated into the ZTE organisation. With the acquisition of ALNS, ZTE has increased the total number of its employees in Germany to over 900, and now has 15 branches throughout the country and is the largest ZTE organization in Europe.
The managed services contract between ZTE and the E-Plus Group is the largest of its kind in Europe, the parties claimed. ZTE Services Deutschland added the deal provides an 'outstanding opportunity for the future growth of ZTE in Germany and Europe'.
Noted Betty Cui, vice president of ZTE Corporation: 'We are happy to take so many experienced people on board. The knowledge and expertise of our employees is the most valuable asset for our company. We believe in Germany as a good business location and with this investment ZTE shows its long term commitment to the country and to Europe.
'We started our business in Germany in 2006 and we have seen continuous growth,' continued Cui. 'Now this investment marks a big step forward and a milestone for the development of ZTE in Europe. It not only helps to ensure seamless continuity in the maintenance of the E-Plus network but is the basis to take on future managed services projects for other German and European network operators.'
After months of careful preparation and coordination by a professional transition management team, ZTE implemented the takeover of E-Plus network operations during a night in early January 2014. During that night, ZTE migrated the whole IT infrastructure from the previous service provider, with their support, to a ZTE data centre.
In the context of the managed services contract ZTE also implemented a completely new spare parts management system. Additionally, ZTE has already deployed some new software tools including its innovative ZSmart platform. E-Plus Group's mobile customers experienced no interruptions or disruption to service during the transition of the network operations.
Said Andreas Pfisterer, CTO of E-Plus: 'Since 2009, ZTE has supported the expansion of our powerful high speed network that offers all our customers simple, reliable and rapid access to the mobile internet. E-Plus and its customers benefit from the synergies arising from the supply of network technology to the construction and operation of the E-Plus network by one single partner. In its usual professional manner, ZTE managed a smooth takeover of network operations.'
