Mobinil upgrades network to end-to-end IP infrastructure with Cisco technology

Cisco is working closely with Mobinil, to help deliver voice, data and video services to its mobile subscribers over a single IP next generation network (IP-NGN).

The IP-based infrastructure helps reduce network complexity and management costs, and has a significant impact on quality of service, network reliability and readiness, and overall customer experience.

Mobinil CEO Mr. Hassan Kabbani stated that, "Mobinil, in cooperation with big industry names like Cisco, has provided the Egyptian telecommunications sector and the Egyptian people as a whole with state-of-the-art mobile communication network. This network has a positive impact on people's interests, corporate productivity, as well as all sectors of the national economy, and we look forward to take our subscribers to new horizons, where mobile phones will transform from a medium of transmitting voice into a complete system of telecommunications."

"Launching a comprehensive content platform is critical for our nationwide network in Egypt," commented Eng. Marwan Hayek, Vice President Technology for Mobinil. "With the ability to deliver voice, video and data to our customers over a single network, we are helping increase digital inclusion across the country. Today's consumer and business users will not necessarily need a laptop to connect to the internet - they can get it all on a single mobile device."

Many countries in the emerging markets are undergoing a transition from slow growth and limited connectivity to hyper-growth. In some instances this results in countries and businesses bypassing legacy technology and surpassing the infrastructure in more developed countries. Cisco and Mobinil are working closely in Egypt to engage with businesses and individual citizens alike to help provide the socio-economic transformation that many strive for.

"Today and in the future, customers demand a significant amount of data services available via their mobile connections and at a very low latency. Traditionally, we had a number of complex disparate networks delivering services to our customers, which were extremely expensive to manage and limiting our offerings," continued Eng. Marwan Hayek. "We estimate that if we had not deployed a Cisco platform we would have had to increase our infrastructure many folds in the core network just to carry all the different services to meet customer needs."

Mobinil will deliver a suite of data, voice and video services over a highly available and scalable IP-NGN, using Cisco GSR-12410 and CRS-1 routers. These new platforms will help Mobinil to eliminate the complexity and costs associated with managing multiple networks running separate services and will maintain the highest level of network availability by leveraging the self-defending, self-healing capabilities of the Cisco IOS XR operating system. The Cisco GSR 12410 and CRS-1 will also help Mobinil to evolve its network to deliver the next generation of mobile IP services, such as mobile TV.

Hani Abdelaziz, General Manager Cisco Egypt, said:

"Using an IP network as the platform will help Mobinil to deploy new services to customers quickly with minimal risk and capital investment."

He added, "In addition to delivering multimedia services to mobile phone users, a single, converged IP Next Generation Network will help Mobinil maintain its position as a leading broadband provider, delivering seamless wireless Internet services to the home, and to small and medium-sized businesses. The deployment will also drive broadband penetration and contribute to improve economic productivity and prosperity in the country."