Siemens Networks

GSM growing in Pakistan: Siemens awarded network expansion and
managed services order by Telenor Pakistan 

Telenor Pakistan, the second largest network operator in Pakistan, has commissioned Siemens Networks to expand and manage its GSM network. The corresponding frame agreement is worth a figure in the three-digit million range and is set to run for three years. Within the scope of this agreement Siemens will, among other things, plan, supply and implement technologies for the radio and transmission in the south of Pakistan, expand and upgrade the core network nationwide, and operate the GSM network after the setup phase, providing Managed Services. The expansion includes the rollout of more than 2000 base stations and core network-related entities. The Telenor Pakistan order was awarded to both Siemens and Nokia. With a potential total value of 750 million US dollars, it constitutes one of the largest frame agreements of this type ever awarded in this sector. 

Telenor Pakistan has commissioned Siemens Networks to expand its GSM network in Pakistan to create new capacity for the rapidly growing number of subscribers in the country. The frame agreement entails planning and installing GSM base stations in the south of Pakistan, expanding the core network, installing radio relay stations and setting up various new services, including messaging and enhancement of the prepaid charging solution.  

There is strong competition among several private companies in the rapidly expanding mobile telephone market. Telenor acquired a license for providing GSM services in Pakistan in 2004, and launched its services commercially in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Hyderabad the following year. In the space of two years, Telenor has established itself as the second largest mobile carrier in Pakistan by launching over 1100 destinations within two years. For fiscal 2006, it recently announced excellent financial results, adding more than two million new customers during the three-month period between October and December 2006 alone. In December 2006, Telenor Pakistan posted the highest sales of all mobile carriers in the Pakistani market. 

About Telenor Pakistan

Telenor Pakistan is 100% owned by Telenor ASA and adds on to its operations in Asia together with Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Telenor ASA is an international provider of high quality telecommunications, data and media communication services. It ranks as one of the biggest GSM service providers in the world with over 115 million subscribers.  

More about Telenor Pakistan at http://www.telenor.com.pk
 

Siemens Networks GmbH & Co KG

Siemens Networks* engages in a dialog with its customers to create trendsetting communications solutions that help network operators and service providers achieve their business goals. Siemens Networks contributes its innovative strength, worldwide experience and unsurpassed implementation expertise in all areas of voice and data communications. As an innovation leader, Siemens Networks delivers customer value today and prepares customers for tomorrow with trendsetting solutions. Siemens Networks is a fully-owned subsidiary of Siemens AG and operates in about 100 countries.

* Siemens Networks will merge into a 50-50 joint venture with the Nokia Networks Business Group, creating a telecommunications powerhouse that will be called Nokia Siemens Networks. The new company will be a global communications leader with strong positions in key growth segments of the fixed and mobile network infrastructure and services, featuring a world-class fixed-mobile convergence capability. Nokia Siemens Networks is expected to start operations in the first quarter 2007, subject to fulfillment of the closing conditions and agreement on a number of detailed implementation steps. 

More about Siemens Networks at www.siemens.com/networks

For further information, please contact:

Preeta Iyer
TBWA\RAAD\PR

Tel: 04 222 6667 ext 120
E-mail: preeta@tbwaraad.com