Nokia and O2 get GTB Network Infrastructure Innovation Award
New Delhi, India, May 18, 2014: Nokia and O2 (Telefónica UK) have won a prestigious award at the Global Telecoms Business (GTB) Innovation Awards in London on May 14, 2014. O2 implemented Nokia’s iSON Automation for Operations to eliminate more than 10,000 manual tasks a month, cutting operating expenditure substantially. The solution is also helping O2 improve energy efficiency and prepare for large sporting and cultural events where traffic is at its highest.
GTB Innovation Awards is an annual event that celebrates innovative solutions created by telecom vendors together with operators to make a difference to the world. Nokia and O2 were this year’s winners in the wireless network infrastructure innovation category.
Head of Network Operation at O2 Phil Tuohy said, “We kicked off this automation initiative with Nokia in 2009 to manage alarms more efficiently and reduce network energy. By 2011, booming smartphone use meant that special events such as music festivals were becoming an increasingly important challenge, so the solution’s scope was broadened to enhance capacity in concentrated areas. iSON Automation for Operations has helped to bring about a complete operational transformation for O2, freeing operations personnel for more proactive maintenance tasks. We are proud to have partnered with Nokia to jointly win this award.”
Executive vice president of Global Services at Nokia Eva Elmstedt said, “Automation is a critical element for operators to achieve the efficiency in network and service operations of today. Nokia’s expert advantage in services and comprehensive OSS products supported O2 in meeting their specific needs. This award is yet another sign that we are focusing on technology and solutions that create concrete value for our customers, our industry and for mobile broadband users.”
As well as helping O2 to automate more than 10,000 manual actions per month, Nokia’s iSON automation solution has cut energy consumption and saved O2 around EUR 2 million per year in operating costs. The Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award also recognizes the hard work over many years by the Nokia services team in co-operation with operational experts in O2.
Editor of Global Telecoms Business, Alan Burkitt-Gray, who chaired the judging panel, said: ”We were impressed by the number and quality of nominations this year – the most we have ever had – so it was a special triumph for Nokia and Telefónica O2 to be among this year’s winners. This was an outstanding project and well deserves its award. This project stood out, even though the competition was strong, and it just had to be among the winners. Well done to all involved.”
