MTN increases accuracy with interconnect billing system

Issued by Dimension Data South Africa
Johannesburg, 25 May 2000

MTN has significantly increased the accuracy of their interconnect bill through the implementation of an interconnect billing system by Dimension Data.

The project involves the delivery and implementation of Prospero, ICL`s call rating and interconnect settlement application software. The new system enables MTN to produce accurate and detailed settlement reports, thereby facilitating reconciliation with its interconnect partners.

Dimension Data has installed Prospero on a Hewlett-Packard K-Series enterprise server and HP`s new SureStore E XP-256 enterprise storage array. This undertaking represents the first implementation of an XP-256 in South Africa. The system runs in a Unix client-server environment and utilises an Oracle database.

Phillip Hill, National Manager: Network Support of MTN, says Dimension Data won the deal as prime contractor and systems integrator for the project because of their experience and track record in the telecoms billing domain.

Prospero enables calls made across MTN`s network boundaries to and from its interconnect partners to be captured, individually rated and allocated to the applicable settlement report.

Sean Taylor, general manager at Dimension Data, comments: "Prospero provides MTN with a future-proof solution, incorporating planned enhancements and current features which will cater for developments in the South African telecommunications environment."

Dimension Data Service Provider solutions delivers world-class solutions and services to telecommunication operators and service providers, both in South Africa and internationally.

ICL

ICL is a global IT services company. It designs, builds and operates information systems and services for customers in the retail, finance, government, telecoms, utilities and travel markets. The company has operations in over 40 countries and employs over 22,500 people.

Transformed from a manufacturer of computers, today ICL improves business performance and competitiveness through services focused on electronic business, enterprise applications and the implementation and outsourcing of IT infrastructure.

In 1997 the company`s revenues were lb2.477 billion generating a profit before tax of lb30.0 million. Headquartered in London, ICL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu and plans to float on the London Stock Exchange in 2000. Website: http://www.icl.com

Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalising on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services. HP has 85,400 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Website: http://www.hp.com.