Airtel and IBM finalize Africa IT management agreement

15.01.11/Samuel Dowuona

Airtel and IBM have announced the completion of negotiations for a 10-year technology services spanning 16 Airtel’s African operations, including Ghana.

Under the 10-year agreement signed in December 2010, IBM will deploy and manage the information technology (IT) infrastructure and applications to support airtel's mobile services throughout Africa.

A statement from Airtel’s group headquarters said IBM will consolidate and transform the 16 different IT environments across airtel's African operations into an integrated IT system, and will oversee the management of all applications, data center operations, servers, storage and desktop services.

“In addition, IBM plans to deploy a powerful media management system to offer content such as music and video over mobile devices, while simultaneously facilitating the growth of the application developer community in Africa, which will enable airtel to tap new sources of revenue,” the statement said.

Airtel promised at the signing of the agreement in December last year that it will “revolutionalise the way African communication”.

The statement quoted Group Chief Executive Officer and Joint Managing Director of Airtel, Manoj Kohli as saying "our relationship with IBM is catalytic in its delivery of information and communication technology solutions across Africa.”

He said the deployment of cutting edge technology will provide a positive multiplier effect to airtel customers, employees and business partners through applications that deliver enhanced services, data and processes in real time.

“An empowered ecosystem will manifest in quick delivery of solutions that meet the evolving needs of Africa's consumers," Kohli said.

The agreement extends the relationship between IBM and airtel established in 2004, when the mobile network operator selected IBM to run IT and applications for its entire network in India.

ENDS