Europe : Hutchison 3G UK, trading as 3, has selected Livingston to supply its test equipment management solutions during the preparation, rollout and operation of the UK's first 3G service.

Inset is Mrs Fiona Horrocks, who is the UK Managing Director of Livingston's TEMS division who is quoted below. This long-term contract enables 3 to meet its demanding test equipment needs by channelling its requirements through one independent supplier.

Under the arrangement Livingston will provide a "cradle-to-grave" solution based around procurement of new and used equipment, calibration maintenance and repair and equipment disposal management. To support these services Livingston will provide specialised equipment training and 24/7 tech support.

On a strategic level Livingston will provide asset tracking, equipment utilisation profiling and equipment redundancy planning to help maximise budgets.

After a rigorous four-month selection process, Livingston was chosen based on its range and strength of services, its manufacturer independence and its geographical coverage throughout Europe to allow for 3's future growth and expansion.

"We are delighted to have been chosen to support 3 on its groundbreaking new service," said Fiona Horrocks, Director and General Manager for Livingston. "We will be helping 3 manage its test equipment needs to ensure a smooth and successful rollout of the network".

"Livingston demonstrated the ability to meet all our test equipment requirements offering us the end-to-end solution we required." said Mark Russell-Smith, Head of Operations Support for 3. "By outsourcing our test equipment management to Livingston we saved a great deal of time and money. Our engineers have hit the ground running due to specialised training and our future test equipment costs will be minimised through utilisation and asset tracking reports".

Livingston has been working with 3 since October 2002, but is not a newcomer to the organisation having supplied Hutchison with test equipment management solutions for the last three years.