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SFR selects Alcatel-Lucent as sole supplier for nation-wide IP/MPLS transport backbone


WEBWIRE

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced it has been selected by SFR, the second-largest mobile phone operator in France, to supply a core IP/MPLS network. SFR will be one of the first mobile operators to migrate its voice traffic alongside its growing data services on a next generation backbone. The IP network transformation will equip SFR with a flexible, secure, and cost effective platform for national voice and data communications.

“As a leader in service innovation, our strategy is to strengthen our ability to handle the expected increased demand for voice and new advanced services at an affordable price,” said Paul Corbel, CTO of SFR “Alcatel-Lucent’s IP/MPLS network, which is part of their META (Mobile Evolution Transport Architecture) solution to all-IP, will effectively enable us to deliver the innovative and converged solutions that our customers across France are demanding.”

The Alcatel-Lucent IP/MPLS core network will enable SFR to offer a new set of differentiated mobile broadband services, full network Quality of Service (QoS) on a service-by-service basis. In addition, the core MPLS network based on the Alcatel-Lucent IP solution will enable SFR to dramatically improve on CAPEX and OPEX through the efficiencies of IP-based technology.

“The evolution to an all IP network is clearly underway,” said Olivier Picard, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s activities in Europe & South. “Alcatel-Lucent addresses one of the biggest challenges faced by mobile operators: dropped calls. With our enhanced IP/MPLS routing portfolio we can address mobile carrier requirements for increased network reliability and very high Quality of Service. Alcatel-Lucent is a strategic partner for SFR supplying solutions for 2G, 3G, WiMAX, microwave and optical transport, and HLR, and is now strengthening that partnership as the sole supplier for its IP/MPLS nation-wide backbone.”

The IP/MPLS core network solution is based on the next generation Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router and 7450 Ethernet Service Switch (ESS). These carrier-class IP products have advanced high availability features and non-stop routing that enable a mobile operator like SFR to confidently introduce new revenue generating, “always-on” services while simultaneously migrating existing services onto the same common platform. The 7750 Service Router and 7450 Ethernet Service Switch (ESS) are part of Alcatel-Lucent’s Mobile Evolution Transport Architecture (META) announced today at the Broadband World Forum, the industry’s most comprehensive vision for the evolution of mobile networks from TDM to all-IP.

The SFR solution also includes the Alcatel-Lucent 5620 Service Aware Manager to provide intelligent service management capabilities that guarantee reliability and end-to-end quality, and to diversify its offering by establishing differentiated quality of service levels based on the type of client or the use of the network.

The complete Alcatel-Lucent solution has an extensive professional services component to ensure seamless deployment and integration and includes project management, design consultancy, maintenance, supervision/operations, and site survey work.

SFR joins a growing number of forward looking mobile operators around the world that are deploying IP/MPLS in their core transport networks. Over 180 service providers in more than 70 countries have selected alcatel-Lucent IP solutions. During the second quarter of 2007, Alcatel-Lucent reinforced its #2 position in IP/MPLS edge garnering 21% of the market according to Ovum RHK.



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