Nokia extends HET network management deal

Hutchison Essar Telecom (HET), a subsidiary of India’s Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd (HTIL), has extended its five-year services contract with Nokia, handing the Finnish vendor management rights to its networks in ten additional regions. The deal follows a similar agreement covering networks in nine regions struck between the two in January. The extension will see Nokia run HET’s network operations in three existing circles in Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and seven Greenfield circles in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Assam and North East. Nokia now supplies managed services and GSM network equipment in 19 of HET’s 23 circles. It provides an array of solutions from its business solutions portfolio, including network operations, configuration and optimisation of both its own equipment and equipment from other vendors, and maintenance. Nokia will take on over 200 HET staff into its Services business unit, bringing the total to over 800 since the start of the year. The financial details of the contracts were not disclosed.