Nucleus Connect appoints Alcatel-Lucent as BSS/OSS system integrator for Singapore’s Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network

Paris - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been selected by Nucleus Connect as the systems integrator for its business and operations support systems (BSS/OSS) in Singapore’s Fibre To The Home (FTTH) Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN).The Next Gen NBN will transform Singapore into a digital economy nation, eventually providing ultra-high speed access of 1 Gbps and more to homes, schools, government buildings, businesses and hospitals.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of StarHub, one of Singapore’s most innovative service providers, Nucleus Connect has been appointed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) as the operating company (OpCo) to design, build and operate the active infrastructure for Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. The project will be delivered in phases with completion targeted for June 2012.

The model set by the IDA is separated structurally and operationally. End-users will subscribe to services from retail service providers (RSPs), who rely on connectivity services in a wholesale model provided by the OpCo (who manages the active network). The OpCo in turn relies on the network company (NetCo) to provide access to the passive fibre network.

Alcatel-Lucent will provide Nucleus Connect with a turn-key Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) BSS/OSS solution including software, hardware and professional services, to support its OpCo operations and business models.Consisting of a scalable platform for content and application onboarding, the solution will facilitate the bundling and rapid introduction of new services via an on-line virtual mall. The Alcatel-Lucent solution will fully support Nucleus Connect’s wholesale business model and service enhancement, encouraging the development of a vibrant ecosystem of RSP’s. It will also provide open interfaces and fully automated workflows via a business-to- business (B2B) gateway to interact with the NetCo, the RSPs and other qualified parties (QPs).

David Storrie, Chief Executive Officer of Nucleus Connect said, “Nucleus Connect is committed to offering world-class leading edge services across the Next Gen NBN. With the appointment of Alcatel-Lucent, Nucleus Connect is confident that the innovative OSS/BSS systems will enable the smooth interaction of Nucleus Connect’s business model including processes, workflows and interfaces with the Network Company and the RSPs. The partnership enables us to deploy the network in a timely and efficient manner to meet the stringent project milestones set out by the IDA.”

Sean Dolan, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s activities in Asia-Pacific added, “Alcatel-Lucent understands the criticality and centrality of BSS/OSS to a successful service rollout and operation. Nucleus Connect selected Alcatel-Lucent for its unique expertise in IT systems and network integration, BSS/OSS, service delivery platforms (SDP), application enablement and multi-vendor application integration along with its track record of supporting large and aggressive rollouts.”

In early September 2009, OpenNet, the NetCo appointed by IDA, also selected Alcatel-Lucent’s BSS/OSS and system integration expertise to manage its NetCo business operation in the frame of the Next Gen NBN. Both awards from NetCo and OpCo testify to Alcatel-Lucent’s technology and thought leadership, as a credible and preferred integration service partner and the sole strategic BSS/OSS system integrator for Singapore’s Next Gen NBN.

Alcatel-Lucent is a worldwide leader in BSS/OSS and SDP serving more than 200 customers worldwide; Alcatel-Lucent is the trusted partner with the knowledge, assets, and experience to deliver complex multivendor solutions with quality and innovation.

About Alcatel-Lucent’s solution
Alcatel-Lucent’s solution is built using strategic partners’ off-the-shelf best of breed software products that leverage cumulative industry best practices and out-of-the-box capability. These are then customized and integrated to meet Nucleus Connect’s requirements and implement the OpCo business and operational model. The solution complies with the external linkTM Forum’s business process framework and covers functional domains such as:

* Fulfillment (including: customer management and order handling, order management, service and network activation);
* Assurance (including: fault management, performance and QoS management, SLA management, and ITIL processes for incident, problem and change management);
* Billing (including: rating, billing, invoicing);
* Operations support (including: network and service inventory, workforce management and business intelligent reporting); and
* Applications enablement (SDP platform to enable on-boarding of RSP services).

The overall integration is based on a service-oriented architecture (SOA) and data modeling is in accordance to the TM Forum SID (shared information data) model. The solution also provides an open interface platform and exposes web services (through a web portal and business to business integration) to interact between OpCo, RSPs, NetCo and QPs.

About Nucleus Connect Pte Ltd
Nucleus Connect, a wholly-owned subsidiary of StarHub incorporated on 14 April 2009, is responsible for designing, building and operating the active infrastructure of Singapore’s Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN). It will offer comprehensive and flexible services that will help Retail Service Providers select and deliver broadband connectivity services to their target markets quickly and seamlessly, bringing a more enriching experience to the end-users.

Nucleus Connect plans to commence commercial operations in 1Q-2010. Actual availability of ultra high-speed broadband connectivity to homes and businesses in Singapore will depend on the roll-out schedule of the Next Gen NBN. Singaporeans can expect to have ultra high-speed broadband connectivity of up to 1Gbps in 95% of homes and offices by December 2012. Visit external linkwww.nucleusconnect.com for more information.

About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises 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 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 16.98 billion in 2008 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