Reliance Communications awards Alcatel-Lucent all-IP next-generation, CDMA and GSM network expansion

Reliance Communications awards Alcatel-Lucent all-IP next-generation, CDMA and GSM network expansion

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been awarded an IP-based next-generation, CDMA and GSM network contract valued at more than USD400 million from Reliance Communications, India’s largest integrated telecom service provider. This contract will enable Reliance Communications to expand its wireless network to more than 20,000 towns and 600,000 villages. This project represents one of the largest telecom expansions undertaken by a telecom operator anywhere in the world.

“In our endeavor to build a best-in-class infrastructure in the country, offering better overall performance and a higher quality of service to many million Indians, our wireless network will cater to customers across 20,000 towns and 600,000 villages upon completion of the current phase of expansion,” said Anil Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Communications. “The expansion of our wireless CDMA and GSM network would further enhance our competitive edge in effectively participating in the achievement of our national teledensity targets of 500 million by 2010, thereby contributing to economic growth.”

In the framework of this contract, Alcatel-Lucent will upgrade Reliance’s CDMA and GSM network with additional mobile switching centers and base stations. Alcatel-Lucent also will provide a comprehensive suite of network integration services, including network optimization, system support and general project management. This project substantially strengthens Alcatel-Lucent’s position in the Indian mobile market and extends the range of wireless solutions that Alcatel-Lucent provides to Reliance Communications.

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