Airtel in IT services deal with IBM

By Macharia Kamau

IBM and Bharti airtel have completed talks for a technology services deal that will cover 16 African countries.

As part of the 10-year agreement, signed last month, IBM will deploy and manage the information technology (IT) infrastructure and applications to support airtel’s provision of affordable and innovative mobile phone services in Africa, the world’s fastest growing mobile phone market.

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 centre operations, servers, storage and desktop services.

IBM will deploy technologies, processes and best practices to enable airtel to offer superior customer experience.

Customer support

The agreement calls for IBM to provide customer support applications that include customer relationship management, billing, and self-service that will empower customers and assist airtel in delivering innovative and convenient 2G and 3G mobile services.

In addition, IBM will 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.

Manoj Kohli, Chief Executive Officer (International) and Joint Managing Director, airtel said, "Our relationship with IBM is catalytic in its delivery of Information and Communication Technology solutions across Africa. The deployment of cutting edge technology will provide a positive multiplier effect to our customers, employees and business partners through applications that deliver enhanced services, data and processes in real time."