Asiacell reaps rewards of Ericsson network improvement program in Iraq

• Started in 2014, the “Golden Province” network infrastructure improvement program has already significantly enhanced Asiacell’s network performance across Iraq
• The initiative improved user experience, solidified customer loyalty

A comprehensive transformation of Asiacell’s network in conjunction with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) is already paying off for the Iraqi operator, with an increase in subscriber numbers and improvements in a number of key performance and customer satisfaction metrics.

Asiacell joined forces with Ericsson in 2014 to implement its “Golden Province” network infrastructure improvement program, designed to help build a more robust network for mobile broadband services.

The program covers a wide range of activities, including radio network and end-to-end optimiza­tion, feature activations, and capacity enhancements.

Although the project only began recently, Asiacell is already able to prove the value of these improvements, measuring their impact on end-user experience, customer loyalty, by using multiple before-and-after assessment tools.

Mohammed Baban, CTO, Asiacell says: 'Ericsson’s network improvement program, inaugurated in 2014, has optimized our network performance, and boosted the overall user experience. This has cemented customer loyalty among our users, many of whom are now willing to pay for better-quality services. We are proud of the results achieved under our partnership with Ericsson, a leading provider of communications technology and services.'

Rafiah Ibrahim, President Ericsson Region Middle East and East Africa: “Our collaboration with Asiacell,was created to ensure the delivery of an excellent, higher-quality mobile broadband experience. Today, we are witnessing the fruits of our longstanding partnership -- customer-focused accessibility, high-performance network solutions and greater user satisfaction.”

Mobile broadband has emerged as the most effective and popular way to connect in Iraq in recent years.

A key component in the network transformation program is the use of the Ericsson RBS 6000, a multi-standard radio base station that offers 80 percent lower energy consumption per subscriber and takes up 75 percent less space compared to earlier base station standards. This reduces Asiacell’s carbon footprint and provides considerable savings on site rental.

The base stations deployed are currently using WCDMA/HSPA technology and are prepared for future LTE introduction.

Ericsson and Asiacell first forged a three-year partnership in 2012.