Alcatel-Lucent said that it has been selected by UAE’s telecommunications service provider Etisalat, to speed up the deployment of its nationwide fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, in a multi-million Euro deal.
Under the agreement, Etisalat will utilise Alcatel-Lucent’s gigabit passive optical network (GPON) technology to connect 50,000 households and business customers. Through GPON platform, it will to provide residential and business customers with simultaneous access to several high-definition (HD) TV channels and a video on demand library.
Alcatel-Lucent said that it will deploy its 7342 intelligent services access manager fiber-to-the-user GPON-based platform, and the related 5520 access management system. In addition, the company is supplying a range of optical network terminals (ONTs) to install at the end-users’ premises, and will provide Etisalat with its professional services expertise, including project management, installation, commissioning and training.
Essa Al Haddad, chief marketing officer of Etisalat UAE, said: “Etisalat’s FTTH roll-out in the UAE – branded eLife – positions Abu Dhabi to become the first capital city in the world with 100% fiber deployment by the end of this year. UAE will be one of the first countries in the world to have a nationwide fiber optics coverage by 2011.”
“Through this partnership with Alcatel-Lucent, we will be able to accelerate the deployment of new and advanced service offerings that will revolutionise our customers’ triple play and home entertainment experience.”
