Shanghai-based mobile operator Shanghai Unicom, has awarded a five-year contract for network maintenance services to Nokia Siemens Networks.

Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide field maintenance services, covering the base stations, transmission and fixed line networks of China Unicom’s Shanghai branch.

The delivery of the services is expected to begin in May 2011.

Through this contract, Shanghai Unicom aims to provide uninterrupted, high-quality services while reducing operating and maintenance costs across one of the largest cities in China, said the company.

The agreement is the second managed services agreement signed between a China Unicom subsidiary and Nokia Siemens Networks.

Nokia Siemens Networks China Unicom customer business team head Cheng Gang said Shanghai is an important and challenging telecom market because of its size, population and position as the financial hub of the country.

"Therefore, operators like Shanghai Unicom are increasingly taking the managed services route to optimise their network investments while providing high quality services to their subscribers," Gang said.

"Nokia Siemens Networks brings its global managed services experience and multi-vendor network expertise to the fore to support this approach."