Ericsson to help Korek Telecom expand coverage

Dubai: Korek Telecom, one of Iraq's three national telecom operators with a special focus on the Kurdistan region in the northern part of the country, announced on Wednesday that it will expand its coverage to the southern provinces and enhance its total share in the market.

To achieve its strategic goals, Korek Telecom said it has awarded Ericsson a contract to install a postpaid billing system. The system will enhance billing accuracy and enrich the functionality and reporting capabilities.

The telecommunications company said it has been predicting a potential growth in the number of prepaid customers and subscribersy.

"While Korek's customer base is predominantly prepaid, there are significant numbers of high value postpaid subscribers. Korek Telecom realised that this number has potential for growth as the organisation expands nationally," a spokesman for Korek said.

"The contract with Ericson will allow Korek to have a rich postpaid billing platform that would improve billing accuracy and allow the necessary flexibility to provide a diverse set of packages and promotions specifically tailored to this important set of subscribers," said Asif Salam, key account manager for Ericsson.

First phase

According to Korek's Deputy CEO Dr Abdul Hameed Akrawi, "Deploying the new billing system is the first phase of a larger project related to the upgrading of our billing infrastructure. We are putting in place the elements required to achieve billing and charging convergence from a prepaid and postpaid perspective, incorporating aspects such as rating and CRM [customer relationship management]. This will enable us to provide a wide range of services and features to both prepaid and postpaid subscribers."

A key reason for the contract was Ericsson's ability to execute and its appropriate staff and expertise on the ground. In the last six years, Korek Telecom and Ericsson have developed a close working relationship. Ericsson has been providing Korek Telecom with network infrastructure, including the switching, radio, transmission and IN platforms, deployment and support services.

"The platform was perceived as robust and reliable, with the ability to grow as the network, coverage and requirements expand. The flexibility of the solution from the end-user point of view was an important element," said Salam.

High competence

"Another factor," he said, "was the consistently high competence levels and commitment of the technical staff who have been engaged with Korek Telecom, and the understanding that we will not only deliver the system, but also provide the necessary support expertise, and assist Korek Telecom in developing the required staff competence."

This new agreement will further enhance the partnership between Korek and Ericsson. According to Elie Takchi, Ericsson's multimedia director of north Middle East, the billing system will ensure accuracy and enable more appealing promotions.