Alcatel-Lucent introduces new CDMA/EV-DO base station designed to add capacity and fill in coverage gaps, helping operators enhance network performance

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced the availability of the newest addition to its industry-leading CDMA/EV-DO wireless portfolio, the CDMA Base Station 2400, a high-performance, microcell-type base station that will enable wireless operators to enhance the coverage and performance of their CDMA networks. This “zero footprint” base station – which can be deployed in locations such as utility poles and the sides of buildings -- gives mobile operators the ability to quickly and cost-effectively fill coverage holes and add capacity in high-traffic areas such as shopping malls and city centers, enhancing the overall performance of their networks.

Sprint is the first customer to deploy the new product. “Sprint is enhancing its coverage and network performance to provide customers with even better access to its industry leading Mobile Broadband Network.” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president of field engineering and operations for Sprint. “The CDMA Base Station 2400 helps Sprint continue to meet the demand for extensive mobile broadband coverage and enhance in-building coverage.”

“For our customers, the ability to provide reliable services – anytime - is the key to success,” said Mike Iandolo, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s CDMA/EV-DO business. “This new offering will enable our customers to add capacity and increase coverage, quickly and at relatively low cost, to address growing customer demand. As importantly, the platform provides an enormous amount of flexibility in terms of deployment options, making site acquisition – typically one of the bigger challenges when deploying a network -- a snap.”

The Alcatel-Lucent CDMA Base Station 2400 is designed for seamless integration into both new and existing networks. It supports CDMA2000 1X, 1xEV-DO and Revision A (Rev. A) services, enabling both high-quality voice and high-speed data services such as streaming video, Web browsing, voice over IP (VoIP) and more. Additionally, the product can address a variety of operator requirements, including providing in-building coverage – when paired with distributed antenna technology -- and delivering service in remote or rural areas. Support for IP backhaul helps ensure that the base station offers the most efficient voice and data transport capabilities, and can support future evolutions to IP network architectures.

The CDMA Base Station 2400 is the latest addition to Alcatel-Lucent’s comprehensive wireless portfolio which offers solutions to address the full range of customer deployment scenarios, from wide-area coverage to metropolitan hotspots to homes and businesses. The platform also is an integral element of Alcatel-Lucent’s In-Building Continuity Solution, which offers a fully integrated, end-to-end approach to designing, integrating and implementing new services for public areas, corporate campuses and residential dwellings with limited wireless coverage.

As a global leader in the development and deployment of third-generation (3G) networks, Alcatel-Lucent has deployed commercial 3G (CDMA/EV-DO and W-CDMA/HSPA) systems for more than 70 operators worldwide.