Huawei says that it has won a 5-year contract to mange O2 UK's mobile core network. The agreement sees 56 permanent roles transfer from Telefónica UK to work for Huawei's managed services business.

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.

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.

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."

Financial terms were not disclosed.