China Mobile selects Alcatel-Lucent for strategic transformation to all-IP ultra-broadband network

PARIS, March 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris andNYSE: ALU) and China Mobile (CMCC), the world's largest mobile operator, today announced a one-year comprehensive frame agreement valued at up to Euro 750 million to provide technology that will move the world's largest mobile service provider to an all-IP ultra-broadband network paving the way for future network functions virtualization (NFV) and cloud-based services. 

The announcement coincides with a visit to France by Chinese president Xi Jinping to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of French-Chinese diplomatic relations. Alcatel-Lucent has a long commitment to China and is marking the 30^th anniversary of Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell as a major player in China's telecom industry.

Today's significant agreement builds on an already long-standing relationship between China Mobile and strengthens Alcatel-Lucent's critical role in the world's largest mobile network.  In 2013, China Mobile selected Alcatel-Lucent to provide its innovative lightRadio™ 4G TD-LTE overlay, Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and small cells technology to support the new 4G network. 

At Mobile World Congress 2014, China Mobile and Alcatel-Lucent demonstrated their progress in the development of network functions virtualization (NFV) for mobile operators. Using Alcatel-Lucent's virtualized proof of concept LTE radio access network (RAN) Baseband Unit (BBU) and its virtualized evolved packet core (vEPC) in a multi-vendor environment, the companies demonstrated how an open mobile cloud network enhances agility, efficiency and scale.

Key Facts:

• China Mobile is the world's largest mobile operator and reaches more than 750 million subscribers across the country.
• Alcatel-Lucent has had a major presence in China for more than 30 years through Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell.
• Agreement makes Alcatel-Lucent a key provider of technology ranging from IP networking to ultra-broadband access, including, but not limited to:
  • Wireless ultra-broadband access technology, such as lightRadio 4G TD-LTE overlay and upgrades to existing networks in preparation for 4G TD-LTE deployment as well as the lighRadio Metro Radio Outdoor (MRO) Small Cells co-created by China Mobile and Alcatel-Lucent.
  • IP Networking, such as Evolved Packet Core (EPC), IP routing technology and next generation optics transmission, such as OTN 100G technology.
  • Fixed ultra-broadband access technology, such as GPON.

  • Professional services.

Quotes:

Michel Combes, CEO of Alcatel-Lucent, said: "This is a significant achievement of Alcatel-Lucent and essentially makes us a key technology provider in virtually every aspect of China Mobile's growing mobile ultra-broadband network.  We have worked side-by-side with China Mobile throughout many developments in mobile technology, including the development of 4G TD-LTE.  We are continuing that close collaboration as China Mobile moves to the next level of ultra-broadband through NFV supporting future cloud applications and services."

About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris andNYSE: ALU)

We are at the forefront of global communications, providing products and innovations in IP and cloud networking, as well as ultra-broadband fixed and wireless access to service providers and their customers, and to enterprises and institutions throughout the world. Underpinning us in driving the industrial transformation from voice telephony to high-speed digital delivery of data, video and information is Bell Labs, an integral part of the Group and one of the world's foremost technology research institutes, responsible for countless breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Our innovations have resulted in our Group being recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 Global Innovator, as well as being named by MIT Technology Review as amongst 2012's Top 50 "World's Most Innovative Companies". We have also been recognized for innovation in sustainability, being named Industry Group Leader in the Technology Hardware & Equipment sector in the 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices review, for making global communications more sustainable, affordable and accessible, all in pursuit of the Group's mission to realize the potential of a connected world.

With revenues of Euro 14.4 billion in 2013, Alcatel-Lucent is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges (Euronext andNYSE: ALU). The company is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.

For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

SOURCE Alcatel-Lucent

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