Ericsson will henceforth manage network operations for Botswana in an effort by Orange to optimize its network and IT operations with the aim to further improve quality of service and customer experience.

Under the terms of the contract, Ericsson will assume responsibility of the operational management and field maintenance of Orange Botswana's network infrastructure. This agreement therefore allows Orange Botswana to leverage on Ericsson's technical expertise and experience to maintain and further improve its network performance.

This will then give Orange the edge to focus on its core business of delivering superior products and services that cater to the needs of its customers. As a result, 27 employees from Orange Botswana joined Ericsson as of the 1st September 2014 on terms similar to those enjoyed at Orange Botswana.

According to Karl Johan-Nybell Vice President, Managed services, Ericsson, the company is committed to bringing our global expertise and experience in the field to bear on this engagement, with the aim of affording Orange's customers quality services and superior network performance.

Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society – a world leader in communications technology and services. The long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, businesses and societies to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

With more than 110,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, the company combines global scale with technology and services leadership. Ericsson supports networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And their investments in research and development ensure that solutions – and customers – stay in front.

The agreement extends Ericsson's managed services leadership and footprint across sub-Saharan Africa. So far, Ericsson has signed more than 300 managed services contracts in more than 100 countries and provides managed services for networks that serve over one billion subscribers worldwide.