The agreement sees 56 permanent roles transfer from Telefónica UK to work for Huawei’s managed services business. The roles currently plan and build Telefónica UK’s core network and will continue to do so once they have transferred to Huawei. The terms and conditions of these employees will be protected under the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (“TUPE”) rules. A further 62 contractor roles will also transfer alongside the permanent employees.
Under the new agreement Huawei will be responsible for planning and managing the core transmission, mobile access and core network build in the multi-vendor core network. Huawei is the fastest growing managed services provider in the world, with more than 240 contracts in place with operators in more than 60 countries. Huawei currently collaborates with over 96 certified service partners with Managed Services branches located in nine countries supporting over 24 leading telecom operators.
Victor Zhang, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei UK said: “We are very pleased to announce our first major managed services agreement in the UK. Huawei works with Telefónica in a number of markets around the world and today’s agreement means we are extending our relationship to the UK. Today’s announcement is an important first step in building a world-class managed services capability in the UK. The agreement is a long-term strategic commitment from both Huawei and Telefónica UK to deliver the best in class management of a core network.”
Mr Zhang added: “I am also pleased to welcome fifty-six new employees to Huawei from Telefónica UK. The skills and experience transferring to work with us will be invaluable as we seek to develop our managed services capabilities in the UK as well as managing Telefónica UK’s core network. This agreement further underlines our long term commitment and investment in the UK market.“