Alcatel-Lucent and TMIB complete first successful trial of EDGE wireless technology in Bangladesh

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has successfully conducted the first live field trials of EDGE technology in Bangladesh on TM International (Bangladesh) Limited’s (TMIB) commercial GSM 900MHz and 1800 MHz network (called AKTEL).

Alcatel-Lucent was able to quickly and easily upgrade TMIB’s existing Alcatel-Lucent-supplied GSM infrastructure equipment with simple software activation to support the EDGE trial, which was conducted in the city center of Dhaka. Data speeds faster than 230 kilobits per second were achieved without the need for additional infrastructure equipment. EDGE wireless technology provides up to three times the data capacity of the technology currently deployed, enabling service providers to serve three times as many subscribers, triple their data rate per subscriber or add extra capacity to their voice communications.

“Alcatel-Lucent’s GSM/EDGE solution provides a smooth and cost-effective evolution to EDGE technology, which increases data transmission rates with great spectral efficiency and facilitates the introduction of new applications,” said Kamshul Bin Kasim, CTO, AKTEL (TMIB).

“With the GSM infrastructure supplied by Alcatel-Lucent being EDGE ready and with the excellent performance realized during the trial, we will deploy a superior and field-ready solution with the fastest time to market. In addition, with EDGE, the same time slot can support more users. This reduces radio resources required to support the same traffic, freeing up capacity for more data or voice services,” he added.

“Alcatel-Lucent’s EDGE technology will uniquely position TMIB to deliver applications and solutions that will provide an enriched communications experience to TMIB’s residential and business customers,” saidOlivier Picard, President Alcatel–Lucent Europe and South.

Alcatel-Lucent has more than 170 GSM/EDGE customers in more than 90 countries, making it a leading player in providing mobile communications solutions. Alcatel-Lucent is now boosting its GSM/EDGE portfolio by introducing the field-proven ATCA-based BSC Evolution associated with the very powerful TWIN Transceiver module.

About Edge technology
Further enhancements to GSM networks are provided by Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology. EDGE provides up to three times the data capacity of GPRS. EDGE uses the same TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) frame structure, logic channel and 200kHz carrier bandwidth as today’s GSM networks, which allows it to be overlaid directly onto an existing GSM network. For many existing GSM/GPRS networks, EDGE is a simple software-upgrade. For more info: click here

About TM International Bangladesh
TM International (Bangladesh) Limited, which was established in 1996, is a joint venture company between Telekom Malaysia Berhad and A.K. Khan & Co. Limited. Under the brand name AKTEL, the company is one of the fastest growing mobile communication companies and offers comprehensive GSM mobile solutions to more than 6 million subscribers. Today, AKTEL boasts the widest international roaming service in the market connecting 315 operators across 170 countries.

About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. [All figures exclude impact of activities to be transferred to Thales]. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com