Managed Services World Forum, Berlin, Germany, September 23, 2011 – The E-Plus Group and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) are extending their program to increase the speed, performance and selection of mobile broadband offerings available to consumers in Germany. To bring this to fruition Alcatel-Lucent will lead and manage an aggressive program to expand the capabilities of E-Plus’ mobile broadband network.
Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will continue to have overall responsibility for network operations, field maintenance, and build-out of services associated with the next stage of E-Plus’ network upgrade. The project includes a significant expansion of broadband coverage throughout the country to increase the availability of high-bandwidth services like video and music downloads on smartphones. With the goal of enabling superior service, Alcatel-Lucent will be implementing new measures to predict and prevent service degradation in the E-Plus network. These measures will be underpinned by stringent performance indicators that are tied to the customer experience.
E-Plus Group CTO Rafal Markiewicz said: “A positive customer experience is a powerful asset that can inspire loyalty and attract new subscribers. Alcatel-Lucent has a wealth of experience and a powerful set of tools to identify and fix network problems quickly, making them the ideal partner for this endeavor.”
Alf Henryk Wulf, Head of Alcatel-Lucent in Central Europe, said: “We’re delighted with the confidence that E-Plus has shown in us by expanding our relationship. We are absolutely committed to help E-Plus attain its goals by guaranteeing a swift network expansion and a smooth network operation in the years to come.”
This renewed agreement builds on the long-standing Managed Services relationship between the two companies. Alcatel-Lucent initially took over the operational business units, which are responsible for building, running and maintaining the E-Plus cellular network, for a period of three years in March 2007. Previously, the companies extended their contract by a further two years, and are now entering into another two-year extension.
About the E-Plus Group
The E-Plus Group is the challenger on the German mobile communications market. Simple services tailored to customer needs and a major reduction in call and data charges can be traced back to the initiative of the third-largest mobile network operator in Germany. After revolutionizing the voice market for larger user groups now the company opens the mobile data market for the masses by its massive network roll-out and highly attractive low-priced data tariff schemes. As a result of innovative business models, modern structures and strong partnerships the E-Plus Group was able to significantly strengthen its market position and show a more dynamic and profitable development than the market. Since 2005 E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH und Co. KG has developed into a family of brands offering target group-specific services and thus breaks new ground in mobile communications in Germany. The flat-rate brand BASE and the mobile discounters simyo and blau are market leader in their segments, while the original E-Plus brand offers a range of services to its existing customers. The brand AY YILDIZ addresses the Turkish community in Germany. Vybemobile is aimed to appeal to young music lovers. The partners of the E-Plus group include many other brands, such as MEDIONmobile (ALDI TALK) and music TV station MTV. More than 21.5 million customers are using the network of the E-Plus Group to make calls and send text messages or data. The Group generates an annual revenue of €3.2 billion (2010) and employs more than 2,650 people (FTE) in Germany.
About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leader in mobile, fixed, IP and Optics technologies, and a pioneer in applications and services. Alcatel-Lucent includes Bell Labs, one of the world’s foremost centres of research and innovation in communications technology.
With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach.
The Company achieved revenues of Euro 16 billion in 2010 and is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.
For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.
