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IBM: GTEL Selects IBM to Build Service Network, IT Infrastructure and Business Solutions

^{Published on 2009-03-23 11:04:46, Last Modified on 2009-11-03 18:47:15 - Market Wire}
 

HANOI, VIETNAM--(Marketwire - March 23, 2009) - IBM (NYSE: [ IBM ]) today announced that it has been selected by Gtel Mobile to build a high performance IT infrastructure, mobile service network and a range of business solutions to support its commercial launch this year. In its pursuit to become one of Vietnam's leading mobile service providers, Gtel Mobile wanted to offer the exciting customer experience, as well as the latest services and applications that will differentiate itself from existing players in the Vietnam marketplace.

Announced last year as the seventh mobile phone service provider in Vietnam in a joint venture between GTEL and VimpelCom, Gtel Mobile is looking to IBM for advice and support while preparing for the launch of services later this year. Vietnam's telecommunications industry is growing at 20 to 25 percent a year, with more than 50 million mobile service users.

Under a multi-million-dollar agreement signed in early March 2009, IBM will facilitate the implementation of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network for Gtel Mobile to manage the 24/7 operation of the company.

IBM will also provide the technology and associated services to build the business solutions for Billing, Customer Care and Value Added Services. This will enable Gtel Mobile to efficiently launch basic mobile services including call forwarding, call waiting, call holding and voice mail. After the launch of the basic services, Gtel Mobile plans to deploy a range of new and high-end services to offer its clients an exciting experience.

GTEL is an example of a Smart Communications Service Provider that is going beyond just providing basic connectivity to enable individuals and organizations to interact in ways that were possible through innovation with the flexibility, adaptability and speed to market required to meet today's market demands.

"As a new player in the mobile service market, Gtel Mobile wanted to leverage the latest technology to set up the modern mobile system available for users in the Vietnam marketplace," said Mr. Alexey Blyumin, CEO, Gtel Mobile. "The strategic partnership with IBM, which has vast industry experience and insights, will allow Gtel Mobile to quickly succeed in Vietnam."

The collaboration with IBM will give Gtel Mobile a powerful, secure and agile technology infrastructure, enabling its employees to provide customers with the services -- conference calling, mobile email, roaming and wireless application protocols (WAP) -- that are benchmarked against the international telecommunications industry standards for safety, stability and delivery efficiency.

"The depth and breadth of IBM Global Business Consulting Services' experience and expertise in the telecommunications industry enabled us to meet GTEL's demand and development orientation with the most appropriate solutions and services," said Mr. Vo Tan Long, Country General Manager, IBM Vietnam.

Gtel Mobile's technology infrastructure, enabled by IBM hardware and software, is based on industry standards with pre-integrated capabilities, providing simple management, security and scalability to meet the future development requirements. IBM Global Technology Services will also provide Gtel Mobile with technical and maintenance support including site, network and system implementation and helpdesk services.

About IBM

For more information on IBM, please visit: [ www.ibm.com ]

About Gtel Mobile Jsc

Gtel Mobile is the joint venture between Vietnam's GTEL Corporation & the leading integrated telecommunications operator of Russia & CIS -- VimpelCom. It licenses GSM network at 1.800 Mhz bandwidth to cover all Vietnam with over 86 million people. Gtel Mobile has been granted the Golden Dragon Award 2008 medal among 11 FDI enterprises which have registered capital of over 1 billion US dollars in Vietnam. The Golden Dragon Award is an annual award organized by the Ministry of Planning & Investment and Vietnam Economic Times to honor FDI enterprises with successful records in Vietnam.

Gtel Mobile has cooperated with Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, Comverse, and Avaya to deploy its GSM network for commercial launch this year.