This highly efficient network will allow Warid to deliver high quality National and International Long Distance service under license from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA).
Under the frame contract, Warid Telecom will deploy Nortel Networks' VoIP Long Distance Solution, which includes Succession Communication Server (CS) 2000-Compact and the Passport Packet Voice Gateway (PVG), to deliver full-featured, carrier-grade telephony and data services.
In addition to fixed-line long distance traffic, the Nortel Networks backbone will also be capable of carrying wireless traffic and local loop traffic for Warid Telecom's future GSM subscribers.
"Pakistan is the first venture in Warid Telecom's plan to provide telecommunications services to markets in the Middle East and Africa, and this contract with Nortel Networks is the first we have awarded," said Hamid Farooq, Chief Operating Officer Warid Telecom.
"We selected Nortel Networks because of its global leadership in IP telephony and NGN technologies and because of its strong local presence in Pakistan," he added.
Managing Director Nortel Networks Pakistan, Kamal Ahmed said, "There is great potential in Pakistan's telecommunications market and we look forward to working closely with Warid, now and into the future."
The Warid Telecom next generation network will be based on two Nortel Networks Succession Communication Server (CS) 2000-Compact super class soft-switches, 15 Passport PVGs - including one in the United Kingdom to serve as Warid's first international POP (point of presence) gateway - and a Nortel Networks Periphonics Pre-paid Services Platform to provide a pre-paid calling solution capable of supporting unique value added services.
Warid Telecom is privately owned company by a group of UAE based investors, and is headed by His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of United Bank Limited and a principal share holder of Bank Alfalah, two of Pakistan's leading commercial banks.
Recently, Warid Telecom was awarded a license to launch a new GSM mobile telephone service in Pakistan, and is currently bidding for a domestic local loop (LL) licenses besides LDI.
Nortel is an industry leader, and innovator focused on transforming how the world communicates and exchanges information. For the entire year of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004, Nortel Networks ranked No 1 in the global markets for voiceover packet ports shipped and global softswitch revenue, according to Synergy Research Group.