WiMAX Telecom and Alcatel-Lucent to deploy Croatia’s first WiMAX 802.16e network

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been selected by WiMAX Telecom to supply the first WiMAX 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e) network in Croatia. The deployment will start in the area of Split and Osijek followed by other regions, and will operate in WiMAX Telecom’s 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will supply its end-to-end WiMAX solution including almost 400 base stations, wireless access controllers, operation and maintenance center (OMC) as well as customer premise equipment (CPE).

“With their proven technical capabilities and strong market position, Alcatel-Lucent is the perfect partner for us as we roll-out one of the world’s most advanced ‘triple-play’ WiMAX networks in Croatia,” said Peter Ziegelwanger, Chief Technology Officer of WiMAX Telecom. “In particular, the open CPE strategy of Alcatel-Lucent will allow us to choose from a wide selection of innovative end-user devices that can support an exciting range of cutting-edge wireless applications.”

With the ability to support the simultaneous delivery of multiple video and audio streaming channels, the network, which will become fully operational in 2008, will be utilized to provide customers with advanced wireless multimedia services and a wide range of advertising supported rich-media content.

“It is exciting to see that our cooperation with WiMAX Telecom – having started with the initial deployment of a WiMAX network in 2005 – now leads to this next big project in Croatia. We are looking forward to entering new markets with this true pioneer in wireless broadband access,” said Frederic Rose, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Europe, Asia and Africa activities. “Alcatel-Lucent is committed to boosting WiMAX deployments in South-East Europe, leveraging our regional support capabilities and local presence - particularly in terms of our ability to support mobile operators. In Croatia, for instance, Alcatel-Lucent is present with a dedicated affiliate handling and supporting major contracts in the country. Our innovative WiMAX solution will benefit WiMAX Telecom and its customers in Croatia, who will have access to leading-edge, high-speed, wireless broadband solutions.”

Alcatel-Lucent’s WiMAX solution integrates the latest technological innovations, such as “beam forming”* and MIMO** (multiple input/multiple output). Beam forming enables a service provider to dramatically reduce the number of radio sites needed to provide coverage – in some instances by as much as 40 percent – while reducing interference and ensuring better indoor penetration of the radio signal. MIMO helps make radio links more robust, nearly doubling the capacity delivered in dense urban environments.

Additionally, Alcatel-Lucent’s solution supports a wide range of terminals from various customer premises equipment (CPE) partners. This is part of Alcatel-Lucent’s Open CPE Program, which is designed to promote an open device ecosystem and ensure customers have the widest possible range of interoperable end-user devices.

With more than 70 pilots and deployments across the world and 22 commercial contracts signed since the beginning of 2007, Alcatel-Lucent is No. 1 in the worldwide WiMAX market.