Alcatel-Lucent said that it has been selected by SFR for expansion and upgrade of its 2G/3G wireless network and for trial of long term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband technology.
Alcatel-Lucent said that the contract will enable the operator to leverage and build on its existing investments to support the evolution from 2G to 3G HSPA+ to address the demand for mobile broadband services.
Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide its Converged RAN (radio access network) offering to SFR, which is based on the new MC-TRX radio module and capable of offering 2G and 3G networks.
Alcatel-Lucent will also provide an LTE offering including base stations (eNodeBs), evolved packet core (EPC) and associated management systems enabling SFR to evaluate the performance of LTE services and opportunities to introduce new multimedia applications.
In addition, the company will also provide professional services such as the installation and commissioning for all of the equipment involved in the deployment; and provide the resources to operate the various network elements, including configuration, performance monitoring and fault management.
Pierre Barnabe, head of Alcatel-Lucent in France, said: “SFR’s decision to expand its relationship with Alcatel-Lucent highlights the strength of the company’s extended portfolio of converged fixed and mobile network solutions, which offer real advantages including cost savings, technological innovation and operational excellence. Through these agreements, Alcatel-Lucent also becomes SFR’s main broadband access supplier, across 2G, 3G and GPON for mobile backhaul.”
