Chunghwa Telecom selects Alcatel-Lucent to deploy Taiwan’s first intelligent control-plane based optical network

Paris - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been selected by Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan’s largest telecommunications provider to deploy an advanced optical multi-service network using an intelligent control plane. The project, the first of its kind in Taiwan, is part of Chunghwa Telecom’s next-generation network (NGN) 5-year initiative. Once completed in the first half of 2009, it will enable Chunghwa Telecom to achieve significant savings in operational expenditures and maximize network protection, operation and maintenance.

Featuring innovative automatic traffic provisioning capabilities, Alcatel-Lucent’s solution will enable Chunghwa Telecom to enhance the performance, reliability, flexibility and scalability of its core transport network, further optimizing resource utilization and improving network efficiency. Alcatel-Lucent’s solution leverages advanced technologies, such as Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON)/Generalized Multi-protocol Label Switching (GMPLS), and Layer 2 to allow Chunghwa Telecom to support new versatile multimedia services and technologies such as IPTV, fiber-based access (FTTx), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and Ethernet-based services.

Chunghwa Telecom commented that they chose Alcatel-Lucent’s end-to-end intelligent optical network solutions because they consistently achieved a superior product test performance. Furthermore, Alcatel-Lucent’s commitment to deliver innovative, scalable turnkey solutions make it the partner of choice for Chunghwa Telecom’s NGN network transformation projects.

“To meet the surge in IP-based video and multimedia high bandwidth services, Chunghwa Telecom is now transforming its optical core network, where huge traffic increases have to be supported along with high availability,” said Larry Chai, President of Alcatel-Lucent in Taiwan. “Exemplifying a 30 year-long collaboration with Chunghwa Telecom, this win further asserts the innovative value of our solutions.”

Alcatel-Lucent’s solution features an intelligent control plane, based on ASON)/GMPLS technologies, which is key for dynamic networking and traffic protection. ®®The combination of ASON and GMPLS revolutionizes the way transport networks are operated and managed, by enhancing the transport layer with the flexibility of circuit-based switched networks. Its introduction over the Alcatel-Lucent 1678 Metro Core Connect (MCC), which will be deployed in Chunghwa Telecom’s core transport network, will enable Chunghwa Telecom with automatic traffic provisioning & fast restoration capabilities.

Furthermore, Alcatel-Lucent will supply its Optical Multi-Service Node (OMSN) systems to extend Chunghwa Telecom’s current transport infrastructure, providing advanced aggregation capabilities to support broadband and Ethernet-based services. The existing Alcatel-Lucent 1350 management suite will support and manage the new equipment providing all the administration, configuration, fault prevention and security management capacity required to operate the new network. Alcatel-Lucent’s turnkey solution also includes professional services such as project management, installation, commissioning and maintenance.

The world leader in optical networking since 2001, Alcatel-Lucent also leads the bandwidth management segment with 35.9% market share in the third quarter 2008 on a rolling four-quarter basis with more than 1000 ASON/GMPLS-enabled optical cross-connects deployed worldwide, as well as the aggregation segment at 24.6 % over the same reference time.

About ASON
An automatically switched optical network (ASON) is a network based on a technology that enables the automatic delivery of transport services. In an ASON, each network node is equipped with a control plane, which sets up and releases connections and restores a connection in case of a failure.

About GMPLS
Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) extends MPLS to provide the control plane (signaling and routing) for devices that switch in different domains, including wavelength, and fibre. This common control plane simplifies network operation and management by automating end-to-end provisioning of connections, managing network resources, and providing the level of QoS that is expected in new, sophisticated applications.

About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions that 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