Alcatel-Lucent to deploy and operate a complete converged infrastructure for Vodafone Qatar, integrating the new fiber infrastructure with the mobile network
Paris, France, and Doha, Qatar, December 7, 2010 – Vodafone Qatar today announced at a joint press conference that Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) has been selected as its sole supplier in its expansion into the fixed broadband market.
The mobile operator expands into the fixed world
Already a major mobile operator, Vodafone Qatar plans to offer customers an integrated service, encompassing fixed and mobile.
To accomplish this ambitious project, Vodafone Qatar selected Alcatel-Lucent, together with partner companies, to deploy an entirely new fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, based on gigabit passive optical network (GPON) and point-to-point Gigabit Ethernet technology. Alcatel-Lucent’s IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution will then be used to link the new infrastructure with Vodafone Qatar’s existing mobile network. This will allow services to be offered seamlessly through fixed and mobile connections without excessive cost or complexity. Users will receive uninterrupted service and synchronization of enabling applications such as virtual office and VOIP solutions, with unified billing and charging – a clear incentive to unify their communications requirements with a single provider.
Vodafone Qatar will benefit from Alcatel-Lucent’s broad and comprehensive managed services, network integration and project management expertise for the converged fixed and mobile network. By leveraging Alcatel-Lucent’s experience in communications infrastructure management, Vodafone Qatar will be free to concentrate on identifying and delivering services that add value for their customers.
“Vodafone Qatar continues to be committed to bring innovations to our customers and to become the most admired brand in the country. Partnering with Alcatel-Lucent, we will now look to extend our service offerings across Qatar to fixed broadband – a major area of growth for our company,” said Jenny Howe, CTO, Vodafone Qatar. “Together with Alcatel-Lucent we will make a world of difference for all people in Qatar.”
“This project with Vodafone Qatar is concrete proof that Alcatel-Lucent has what it takes to prepare our customers’ networks and operations for the challenges of the next decade. It leverages our worldwide leadership in GPON, our leadership in IMS and applications, and our 15+ years of experience in network outsourcing and managed services,” commented Adolfo Hernandez, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s activities in Europe, Middle-East and Africa.
Improved mobile experience
Vodafone Qatar and Alcatel-Lucent have constantly improved the quality of the mobile network and thus the end user experience. With 50 new sites deployed in 2010 (reaching more than 410), the extended and strengthened mobile infrastructure has easily coped with this year’s 35% increase of voice traffic and the five fold increase in data usage. Through the network expansion Vodafone Qatar is ready to support 1 million 2G and 3G subscribers.
About Alcatel-Lucent’s FTTH, IMS and Managed Services Approach
Alcatel-Lucent is the worldwide leader in fixed broadband access, supporting the largest mass deployments of video, voice and data services. Today, one out of three fixed broadband subscribers around the world is served through an access network provided by Alcatel-Lucent. Alcatel-Lucent is involved in over 100 FTTH projects worldwide, over 85 of which are with GPON.
Alcatel-Lucent’s IMS solution is being used by 60+ customers worldwide in end-to-end Alcatel-Lucent deployments; additionally, there are further product-level deployments in multi-vendor networks.
Alcatel-Lucent has more than 15 years of experience in managed services, and is currently managing 90+ networks supporting 220M subscribers. Alcatel-Lucent is the world’s number one in wireline networks outsourcing.
About Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. (“Vodafone Qatar”) is the holder of the second public mobile telecommunications networks and services license in the State of Qatar granted on 29 June 2008. Vodafone Qatar’s mission is to “Make A World of Difference for All People in Qatar” by aiming to become “the most admired brand in Qatar.” Please visit www.vodafone.com.qa for more details.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted transformation partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries such as defense, energy, healthcare, transportation, and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP and optics technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 15.2 billion in 2009 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.
