Alcatel-Lucent to help Bouygues Telecom bring better, faster broadband services to millions of French consumers

Alcatel-Lucent will use its IP technology and extensive expertise in network evolution to help Bouygues Telecom with the comprehensive transformation of its network

Paris, November 14, 2011 – Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) has been selected by leading French service provider Bouygues Telecom to help address the burgeoning demand for broadband services.  Alcatel-Lucent will take a lead role in the comprehensive transformation of Bouygues Telecom’s current systems into a single, powerful and flexible Internet Protocol (IP) network that can support video, high-speed Internet access and voice services for both fixed and mobile access customers.

Bouygues Telecom is deploying an IP-based model in both the core portion of its network that connects with other service providers, and in the access portion of its network that connects with its subscribers. This transition will enable Bouygues Telecom to offer subscribers a unified palette of communication services, including video calling, multimedia messaging and web chat, as well as the freedom of choice in how, when and where they want to be contacted.

The IP-based network will improve the overall quality of service for voice and data and allow Bouygues Telecom to deliver services to many different kinds of devices, such as smartphones and its BBox residential gateway, which combines internet access, cable TV and fixed line phone service.

The new high-capacity, highly intelligent IP Multimedia Sub-System network will also make it possible for Bouygues Telecom to launch new applications quickly to meet emerging customer demand. Through this transformation, Bouygues Telecom is seeking to enhance its competitive market position by offering an improved experience for all of its broadband subscribers.

Thanks to this partnership, Bouygues Telecom will benefit from the strong, local support of Alcatel-Lucent’s research and development organization in France, including Bell Labs. Bouygues Telecom will have early access to the latest innovations in Optics and IP technology – including 100G WDM and the new FP3 400G IP chipset – coming from Alcatel-Lucent, and benefit from extensive local expertise.

Jean-Paul Arzel, Network Director at Bouygues Telecom, said: “We intend to be at the forefront in the transition to Broadband and IP, and we have chosen Alcatel-Lucent as our partner in this journey because of their IP leadership.  We are confident that Alcatel-Lucent’s solutions will give us an advantage over our competitors. We know the creative power of Bell Labs from firsthand experience and look forward to continuing and expanding our collaboration.”

Stephen Carter, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Alcatel-Lucent, said: “Service providers such as Bouygues Telecom are moving aggressively to transform their networks to IP in order to deliver exciting new services and manage costs. This contract further demonstrates our world-class capabilities in IP transformation, the growing strength of our IP business and our very close relationship with Bouygues Telecom.”