ZTE mulls opening global network operations centre in India

Chinese telecom major ZTE plans to open a global network operations centre (GNOC) in India to serve telecom operators of Asia and Africa.
Currently, ZTE operates a regional NOC in India and by upgrading it, the company intends to serve its clients (telecom operators) from Indonesia and Malaysia in Asia to Kenya and Nigeria in Africa.
"We are in discussions with multiple telecom operators in Asia and Africa to assess their requirements. We would finalise the GNOC roll out once we have clarity on this," ZTE Corp Senior Vice President Wireless Business Xu Huijun told PTI.
If the project takes final shape, the telecom equipment maker would also increase its India headcount multifold, he added.

NOC is a central location where telecom operator's network is managed and controlled. It handles any abnormality, fault handling and network problems. An NOC also serves as an interface for internal departments like customer services and external parties.
There would be significant addition in employee headcount in India after GNOC is established, Hogan said, adding that the company is "yet to finalise our hiring plans".

He declined to share investment details but said costs would largely hinge on the total requirement of international leased circuits, which is a critical infrastructure.
"Many international operators prefer a local NOC and we are still in discussions with them to finalise the value proposition of delivering such services from a GNOC," he said on the sidelines of Mobile Asia Expo here.

The company's NOC facility at Gurgaon in Haryana state caters to the network management of Idea Cellular and Aircel's NGN (Next Generation Network). It also handles wireless network of Tata Teleservices and SSTL.
"The GNOC will advise the operators on ways to improve end-to-end delivery of voice and data services, network quality, which will enhance customer experience," ZTE Corp Director Global Service Solution Joe Jhou said.
ZTE has 1,500 employees in India of which 200 are working at the Gurgaon NOC. ZTE India had revenue of USD 756 million in 2012-13.