Success story High quality local training helps Russian operators boost network performance 02/04 High quality local training helps Russian operators boost network performance

Nokia Siemens Networks is committed to high quality training of operators’ staff to help them achieve the effective network operations that are vital in delivering subscriber satisfaction. We also strive to provide training as locally as possible. A new center in is bringing training closer to ’s mobile operators, making it easier and more convenient for them to get the training they need.

VimpelCom launched its first and different levels is very good. commercial cellular network in We have the ability to choose Moscow in June 1994 with one particular training matched to our switch and 10 base stations. engineers’ needs. In general, As of April 2007, it operated in the quality is perfect”, says Andrey 78 regions of Russia, with more Gurlenov, Head of Technical Training than 100 switches and about for University. 20,000 base stations serving more than 57,5 million subscribers. Gurlenov also appreciates the report evaluation forms and statistics that MegaFon, the first all-Russian Siemens Networks sends mobile operator in the GSM every month, enabling him to assess 900/1800 standard, covers the the success of training. entire territory of the Russian Federation with a population of over “Although it is difficult to evaluate 145 million. Its extensive services accurately the impact of good are targeted at both individual and training in terms of rate of equipment corporate subscribers. failures or other measures, it is clear Andrey Gurlenov, that training is connected to network Head of Technical Training for Beeline University With such rapid expansion, both performance,” believes Gurlenov. operators must have skilled “Of course, well trained personnel Training is an important element for resources in-house to assure reliable are also more highly motivated, but many operators’ network operations, network operation, which is vital in you can’t measure this.” providing a sure footing on which retaining subscribers and reducing they can build an effective service operating expenses. In addition, the Training is an important part of our for subscribers. Reliable network increasing complexity of networks end-to-end philosophy. We help operations are critical in providing demands a wider range of skills to operators’ personnel to assure the top quality user experience that ensure that new technologies are quality and increase efficiency in a helps lower churn, win new effective in contributing to growth. cost-effective way. Our high quality subscribers and provide differentiation To help them meet these challenges, training helps operators in their drive from competitors. Good training also both companies need access to high for efficiency. helps operators to reduce operating quality training. costs and maintain profitability. Making training more local Our training helps operators We also strive to provide local Training is a constant need for reduce operating expenses training, further cutting costs for operators, particularly in markets For several years, both operators operators and helping them get the where there remains great potential have been benefiting from Nokia most out of precious staff time. for growth. Such a market is Siemens Networks training services As part of this drive to help operators Russia, where two of the country’s and have been regularly sending optimize their spending and focus leading operators, VimpelCom their network engineers on courses on winning and retaining customers, (trade mark Beeline) and MegaFon, run at our training centers in we have opened our first training have experienced huge expansion and Germany. VimpelCom has used center in Russia. The facility is in recent years. mainly operations and maintenance initially offering training for GSM- (O&M) related courses, to help it related network technology, but will reduce its operating expenses. quickly expand to include instruction “The number of training courses on third generation technology. “We have already had good feedback from Solving VimpelCom’s and our students who felt they had excellent MegaFon’s key challenges group training and could get on well with • Continuous and cost-effective the trainer. They also noted the good training for network O&M teams infrastructure at the center, with fully is vital to cope with the growing equipped GSM facilities and good demands of high technology preparation.” networks • Skilled network operations Andrey Gurlenov, personnel are vital to the drive Head of Technical Training for Beeline to cut OPEX and increase University efficiency • Rapid network expansion and the advent of new technologies increase the demand for highly trained staff • Improving the efficiency of training and achieving a greater return on their investment in training is a high priority for operators Courses in Russian bring training to all “The Moscow training center compares well with the training center in Espoo,” comments Vitaly Dubinin, The benefits of our training Deputy Chief Technical Officer and services Head of the Development • We offer a wide range of training Department for Mobicom-Center, services that enable operators one of the branches of MegaFon. to improve the skills of their “There are also more courses in the network operations and , which is a good maintenance staff thing for us as not all of our people • Local training facilities use fluent English. This, combined substantially reduce travel with the fact that it is a local center, expenses involved in personnel The new center has proven attractive means we can send more people attending courses and reduce to VimpelCom and MegaFon and on training courses.” the time that engineers spend should help them to optimize their away from their network investments in training. A local center for training has a operations duties major impact on an operator like • Investing in training helps to Gurlenov outlines the benefits of Mobicom-Center, which every year improve the motivation of having high quality training close at has training programs for about network operations and hand: “Previously, the cost of travel 30–50 people. Some people go on maintenance personnel was large – now we have a good courses two or three times a year. • Feedback provided by us eases opportunity to make training more Christopher Holmes, Head of operators’ management of efficient. We can probably increase Consulting and Systems Integration, training programs and provides our amount of training from Nokia Nokia Siemens Networks, says: an excellent measure of the Siemens Networks compared to “Operators today are looking to effectiveness of training previous years and will be able to lower their costs and enhance their manage the programme better.” service offerings, and this center offers them the opportunity to do just “We have already had good feedback that. We have a proven track record from our students who felt they had when it comes to delivering cost excellent group training and could savings to operators worldwide.” get on well with the trainer. They also noted the good infrastructure at the center, with fully equipped GSM Martin Talbot, Services Sales Director, Nokia facilities and good preparation.” Siemens Networks: “Our Russian customers needed, naturally, training services delivered to the highest international standards in their own The Moscow center offers two country, in their own language, and with the latest lecture halls as well as a testing technology on-site for hands-on courses. This is what we’ve delivered. The new centre is proving facility equipped with the latest in our to be very heavily used and it’s clear that our industry-leading solutions. The customers are seeing significant added value center is also expected to eventually from this excellent resource.” Olesya Molina, Training Services Manager, Nokia Siemens train the employees of operators in Networks: “Learning Solutions and the Russian neighboring countries. training team cooperate in order to provide the highest quality of trainings both for the standard and tailored solutions. We do our best to give the operators exactly what they want – we make every customer wish count.” Nokia Siemens Networks Corporation P.O. Box 1 FI-02022 NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS Finland

Visiting address: Karaportti 3, ESPOO, Finland

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Copyright © 2007 Nokia Siemens Networks. All rights reserved. Nokia Siemens Networks and the wave logo are registered trademarks of Nokia Siemens Networks. Other company and product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or trade names of their respective owners. Products and solutions herein are subject to change without notice. Code: 11360 Nokia Siemens Networks – 06/2007 Indivisual www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com