The German Federal Employment Agency in Nürnberg has signed a full managed service contract worth more than €100m over an eight year duration. Under the agreement, Siemens Enterprise Communications will handle the construction of a telecommunication infrastructure for 165,000 ports, providing all the required hardware, software and end-user devices.

The agency has 1,900 different sites which will now be connected by a common communication platform with voice communication integrated into the existing IP infrastructure.

The basis of the new system will consist of highly available OpenScape Voice clusters with 165,000 end-user devices. In addition, the arrangement includes a wide range of network infrastructure, the provision of central services, applications and provider services with connections to the public web/network, as well as different carrier services. The agency's existing 1,600 telecommunications systems and 350 small office/home office solutions will be replaced.

Vodafone is working with Siemens Enterprise Communications on the deployment and the two companies have since formed a partnership. "We are proud that we are able to deliver this integrated network and service provision for the Federal Employment Agency's complete fixed network and mobile communication nationwide," said Gabriele Kossack, Manager of Public Sector Sales and NGOs for Vodafone Germany.

Stefan Herrlich, managing director of Siemens Enterprise Communications, added: "We are excited about being awarded this seminal project in which Unified Communications will be implemented across one of the biggest IP networks in the world.

"In the framework of this managed services contract, the Federal Employment Agency will not only profit from our end-user devices and solutions, but also from our services, which significantly simplify communication and cooperation between employees and saves costs."

Albert Häberlein, overall project leader for the Federal Employment Agency, noted: "The Federal Employment Agency sees current challenges in terms of flexibility and cost reduction. With the solutions and services from Siemens Enterprise Communications, all the agencies in the country can communicate perfectly with each other."

The roll out is expected to take place by the beginning of 2012.