As part of this contract, Alcatel-Lucent – as the consortium lead – will coordinate the design, deployment, financing, management and maintenance of IP (Internet Protocol)-based telecommunication networks at French metropolitan air force bases. These networks will carry general air force base data as well as information pertaining to military air control and airspace protection over metropolitan France.

INEO, through its subsidiary INEO Defense, will manage the design of service and security architectures, the equipment integration in this infrastructure, the deployment, the maintenance as well as the co-management of this project with Alcatel-Lucent.

The installation will affect approximately 106 metropolitan sites, i.e. more than 36,000 access points and around 1,500 to 2,000 buildings.

The solution uses standard high-tech civilian equipment that meets military security requirements.  Moving to all-IP technology will provide compartmentalization and security for different network components as well as more flexibility to handle changes in speed and topology.

In addition, an operations, maintenance and security supervision body has been established to meet the higher availability and continuity of service requirements of a military environment, while providing the ability to adapt to future changes required by the French government.

On a voluntary basis, technical staff from the Ministry will be offered new career opportunities by the industrial partners.

The partnership contract includes a construction phase (three years) from 2011 to 2014 and a network operation phase, which will last until 2027. In addition, existing equipment will be replaced over the course of the project to ensure optimal operational conditions.

“We are pleased to support, on a long-term basis, the Ministry of Defense in its modernization effort, thanks to this innovative public-private partnership,” said Pascal Homsy, CEO Alcatel-Lucent France.

“At the heart of our expertise, this partnership is the fruit of a deep collaboration of experienced professionals knowing very well the challenges of defense, and who took particular care to propose very innovative and reliable solutions to meet the need of air force operational teams,” add Guy Lacroix INEO CEO.

About INEO

A leading actor in electrical engineering, information and communications systems and related services, INEO can provide its customers in the public and private sectors with global solutions from design and construction to maintenance.

With 14,500 employees and 300 sites in France, INEO participates in projects relating to industrial and tertiary electrical installations, energy networks, public lighting, transport and telecommunications infrastructures, global security, energy production, information systems and outsourcing.

In 2010, INEO recorded sales in excess of 2.1 thousand million euros.

INEO is part of GDF SUEZ Energie Services which employs 76,000 men and women and can boast sales of 13.5 thousand million euros. The European leader in multi-technical services, GDF SUEZ Energie Services is one of the six business segments of GDF SUEZ, one of the leading energy specialists in the world.

About Caisse des Dépôts

The Caisse des Dépôts and its subsidiaries constitute a state-owned group and long-term investor serving the public interest and local and regional economic development. Its role was reinforced by the Law on Modernisation of the Economy of 4 August 2008: “Caisse des Dépôts and its subsidiaries constitute a state-owned group at the service of the public interest and of the country’s economic development. The said group fulfils public interest functions in support of the policies pursued by the State and local and regional authorities, and may engage in competitive activities.”

About SEIEF

Sponsored by Dexia and managed by EPIM, SEIEF is a European investment company specialized in Public Private Partnership (PPP). It brings together international investors active in infrastructure financing. SEIEF is also a shareholder in many other PPP projects including in France the landmark new Ministry of Defense in Balard.