Huawei offers to support O2 over network problems
The China-based telecoms giant recently signed a deal with O2 to design and plan its future network
By Derek du Preez | Computerworld UK | Published: 15:00, 12 July 2012
China-based telecommunications company Huawei has said that it is ready to offer O2 help in rectifying the ongoing problems with its network.
O2 customers began experiencing problems with their phone and data services on Wednesday, which has continued through to this morning.
It was revealed earlier this year that O2 had signed a managed services deal with Huawei to plan, build and manage its core transmission, mobile access and network in the UK. Computerworld UK contacted Huawei to ask if it was responsible for the on-going problems and was informed that the fault is with O2’s old network, which it is not managing, but it would be happy to help O2 sort the current problem.
Related Articles on Techworld
‘Maya project, the managed service contract we won recently, is to design and plan O2’s future network and we are not managing O2’s current network. However, we are ready to offer support if requested by O2,” said a Huawei spokesperson.
According to a statement from O2, the problem lies with one of its network systems, which is having difficulty registering mobile numbers on the network. However, GiffGaff, a mobile operator that piggybacks onto O2’s network, has said that it has had confirmation that full 3G services will be up and running by this afternoon.
Steven Hartley, practice leader at Ovum Telecoms Strategy, has highlighted that the network problems raise a real concern for the fast approaching Olympic Games this summer.
“The huge influx of visitors to London ahead of the games will cause network traffic spikes, putting pressure on the UK's mobile networks, which already have a poor reputation compared to others in Western Europe. While UK mobile operators claim to be prepared, they have not yet given indication of the scale of their plans,” said Hartley.
“Mobile capacity upgrades at key transport and crowd hotspots will undoubtedly take place before the Games. However, if there is a major public transport failure, the spilling over of people from a location where high network traffic has been anticipated to less well-prepared peripheral cells could prove disastrous.”
Comments