Alcatel-Lucent named transformation partner for BASE, Belgium’s fast-growing mobile network operator

Paris. — Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU), today announced an outsourcing contract with the mobile operator BASE, which is part of the KPN group. Through this agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will have end-to-end responsibility for all network operations and network rollout for BASE’s network.

BASE, by selecting Alcatel-Lucent as the overall network transformation and outsource partner, is ensuring the long-term high quality deployment and management of its network, as well as making significant cost savings through advanced business process re-engineering.

The contract covers the end-to-end network rollout and network operations of the BASE mobile network in Belgium, comprising approximately 3,000 sites. It also involves the transfer of around 29 BASE employees to Alcatel-Lucent. BASE will continue to own its network and continue to carry out key roles such as network design and customer service. With this contract, Alcatel-Lucent becomes BASE’s main transformation partner as they deliver a range of services to their growing customer base, currently around 3.4 million subscribers.

“This contract will produce synergies that enable us to further concentrate on marketing our services throughout Europe”, said Heinrich Lakatha CTO from BASE. “We selected Alcatel-Lucent based on their history of being a trusted partner over the years and given their global experience in network outsourcing”, he continued.’

”This important contract with BASE reinforces Alcatel-Lucent’s position as a strong and competitive managed services provider especially in multi-vendor environments,” said Paul Depuydt, vice-president of Alcatel-Lucent in the Benelux. “It is significant not only for its value, but also because it confirms our ambition to diversify our business into the services domain and the mobile operator customer segment”.

BASE has chosen a trusted partner with significant outsourcing experience worldwide. Providing network operations and outsourcing for carriers and enterprises is a strategic growth area for Alcatel-Lucent. The company will leverage the experience gained from designing, deploying, operating, maintaining and expanding more than 80 networks supporting some 180 million subscribers around the world.

With this deal, Alcatel-Lucent reinforces its position on the mobile market in the Benelux.