AXIATA, the parent company of Cambodian mobile provider, Hello, has signed a five-year framework deal with telecommunications equipment supplier Ericsson.

The deal inked in Kuala Lumpur late last week would allow Axiata to make bulk purchases in a faster period, as well as provisions to strengthen the exchange of technical information, a press release stated.

“The agreement will also enable Axiata to leverage on its volume, across five countries in the region, for pricing arrangements which will ultimately translate into cost savings for Axiata Group,” it said.

Axiata owns Hello, Cambodia’s fourth largest mobile provider by subscriber numbers, as well as controlling interests or full ownership of providers in Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Axiata president Dato’ Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim said the agreement would make procurement quicker, and added  that “speed is crucial in the telecommunications industry”.

Ericsson President Hans Vestberg claimed the deal was the first of its kind awarded by the Axiata Group. Hello officials could not be reached for comment.